Political families’ future on the line

Mumbai: The future of close to a dozen political families is at stake in the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha election in Maharashtra. The sons, daughters and nephews of political leaders are trying to carry forward the legacies of their families in ten seats.

The main players in the struggle for Mumbai North Central are the daughters of two late veteran leaders, Sunil Dutt and Pramod Mahajan — who were both Union ministers. Priya Dutt is contesting on a Congress ticker against BJP candidate Poonam Mahajan.

Milind Deora, son of late veteran Congress leader Murli Deora — a Union cabinet minister in the UPA government led by Dr Manmohan Singh, is contesting Mumbai South against the Shiv Sena’s Arvind Sawant.   

NCP candidate Sanjay Patil is contesting against BJP candidate Manoj Kotak in the Mumbai North East seat. The former is the son of the late Dina Bama Patil, a famous union leader, and Manorama Patil a seven-term municipal councillor.

NCP candidate Sanjay Patil

In the Kalyan Lok Sabha constituency, the Shiv Sena has once again fielded Shrikant Shinde, the son of public health minister Eknath Shinde. Mr Shinde is contesting against the NCP’s Babaji Balram Patil.

In Thane, the NCP has chosen Anand Paranjpe, the son of former MP Prakash Paranjpe, to take on Rajan Vichare of the Shiv Sena.

BJP leader Heena Gavit, the daughter of former minister Dr Vijaykumar Gavit, is contesting from Nandurbar. She is up against six-term Congress MLA K.C. Padvi, who represents the Akkalkuva Assembly constituency. Parth Pawar, the grandson of NCP chief Sharad Pawar, is contesting from Maval. Sameer Bhujbal, the nephew of NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal, is contesting against Shiv Sena’s Hemant Godse in Nashik.

Congress candidate Kunal Patil, who is contesting the Dhule seat against the BJP’s Subhash Bhamre — a junior Union minister, is the son of party strongman and ex-minister Rohidas Patil. Presently, Kunal Patil represents the Dhule Rural Assembly constituency.

Dr Bharati Pawar, who is contesting the Dindori Lok Sabha seat on a BJP ticket, is the daughter of A.T. Pawar, who was a minister in the coalition government of the BJP and Sena.

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