The bypolls in Pandharpur - Mangalwedha seat of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly - is moving towards an interesting battle of votes.
The elections in this Solapur district seat have been necessitated after the death of NCP legislator Bharat Bhalke on November 28, 2020, due to Covid-19 related complications.
The last date of nominations ends on Tuesday – while polling is scheduled on April 17.
Bhalke was a three-time MLA, who won in 2009 as an Independent, 2014 on a Congress ticket and in 2019 from the NCP.
The Sharad Pawar-led NCP has given ticket to Bhalke’s son Bhagirath Bhalke for the seat.
The BJP has given ticket to Samadhan Autade, who was earlier keen on an NCP nomination.
Shiv Sena women’s wing chief Shaila Godse has filed papers as an Independent, rebelling against the party. Swabhimani Shetkari Sangathana candidate Sachin Patil too has filed papers.