Lok Sabha elections 2024: Prestige battle in Sindhudurg

Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate from Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg Lok Sabha constituency, Vinayak Raut, along with his party’s MLA Vaibhav Naik (left) in Kankavli

The stakes are a lot higher this time around in the Lok Sabha constituency of Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg. It will be a matter of prestige for Uddhav Thackeray, who is leading one faction of Shiv Sena and is hoping that his party's candidate Vinayak Raut will do a hat-trick by defeating Narayan Rane fielded by BJP.

Senior leaders from both parties, including Home Minister Amit Shah and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Thackeray, along with other prominent figures, have held rallies in the Konkan region, which is also the political stronghold of Union Minister Narayan Rane. MNS chief Raj Thackeray also addressed a rally at Kankavli in support of Rane on Saturday and it is said that it can work in favour of Rane. However, there was talk that many MNS supporters from Mumbai had gone for the rally.

BJP's Narayan Rane addresses a rally at Kankavli. Pics/Anurag Ahire

"For over three decades Dada (Rane) has worked for the upliftment of the people, infrastructure development and tourism development in Sindhudurg district. The people in Sindhudurg district want development and this time Dada is contesting the elections so he will defeat Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Vinayak Raut. Raj Saheb's rally will also help Dada get more votes, not just from our belt but from adjoining Ratnagiri district, too," said Amey Sawant a resident of Kankavli.

Working in favour of Rane is his arch-rival Deepak Kesarkar who buried the hatchet with him and has been praising him a lot for his development work in Sindhudurg. Kesarkar's change of stance came after he joined Eknath Shinde who is leading the Shiv Sena, which is an ally of the BJP in the state. While interacting with the people on the ground, mid-day also found that the split in the Shiv Sena and NCP resulted in sympathy for Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar.

BJP's Narayan Rane addresses a rally at Kankavli. Pics/Anurag Ahire

"Balasaheb had a very close relationship with the people of Konkan. Eknath Shinde broke the party for his political gain and he backstabbed Uddhavji on instructions of BJP. People know everything and so this time once again Vinayak Raut saheb will win," said a UBT supporter from Pinguli in Kudal Assembly constituency.

In Ratnagiri, Kiran Samant, brother of MLA Uday Samant and a minister in the Eknath Shinde government was interested in contesting the Lok Sabha polls. Samant was unhappy after Rane got the ticket from BJP. Sources said that Samant started participating in the campaigning after he was promised an important role in the Assembly polls.

MNS Chief Raj Thackeray campaigning for BJP's Narayan Rane in Kankavli on Saturday

The Shiv Sena (UBT) enjoys good support in Ratnagiri, which may turn out to be a headache for Rane. Unemployment and the rising inflation seem to be the major issues in this constituency. However, as tourism is a major driver of the economy, the locals, too, want the government and public representatives to bring in schemes that will promote tourism and provide them livelihoods and thus prevent the need for migration to cities for jobs.

There are six Assembly constituencies in this Lok Sabha constituency which includes Sawantwadi, Kudal, Kankavli, Rajapur, Chiplun and Ratnagiri. Of the six Assembly constituencies, Sawantwadi and Ratnagiri have Eknath Shinde faction MLA, two Assembly constituencies including Kudal and Rajapur have Shiv Sena (UBT) faction MLA, one constituency of Kankavli is with BJP where Rane's son Nitesh Rane is the MLA and Chiplun Lok Sabha constituency has an NCP MLA.

Did you know?
Since 2009, Shiv Sena has won this constituency twice while Congress has won it once