The Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg Lok Sabha seat in Maharashtra, known for its scenic beaches and lush green landscapes, is becoming the battleground for intense political rivalries. The seat, once considered a stronghold of the Shiv Sena founded by Balasaheb Thackeray, is now witnessing a tug-of-war among claimants.
The key contenders include Uddhav Thackeray, the head of Shiv Sena (UBT), and his rival, Union Minister Narayan Rane, who have a history of political animosity. Both leaders are vying for control over this constituency, which comprises Vidhan Sabha constituencies like Chiplun, Ratnagiri, Rajapur (in Ratnagiri district), and Kankavli, Kudal, Sawantwadi (in Sindhudurg district).
Narayan Rane, who began his political career with Shiv Sena but later joined Congress and eventually the BJP, has deep roots in the region. In the 2009 Lok Sabha polls, his son, Dr Nilesh Rane, won the Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg seat on a Congress ticket but was defeated in subsequent elections by Shiv Sena’s Vinayak Raut in 2014 and 2019.
With Rane’s younger son, Nitesh, serving as a BJP MLA from Kankavli, the political dynamics become more complex. The Maha Vikas Aghadi sees Raut, a sitting MLA, as the Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate, while the Maha Yuti alliance, consisting of BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, both express interest in contesting from the seat.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s close aide, Ravindra Chavan, has been appointed as the Guardian Minister, adding another dimension to the political equation. The BJP faces a decision on whether to field Chavan, Nilesh Rane, or cede the seat to Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
Amidst these political maneuvers, the state BJP President, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, extensively toured the twin districts last year. The outcome of this political tussle will unfold in the run-up to the elections, adding intrigue to the contest for the Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg Lok Sabha seat.