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The Shirdi Lok Sabha constituency in Maharashtra has both political and spiritual significance. It was the abode of the saint Sai Baba.
In the 2024 elections, the Shiv Sena has again nominated Sadashiv Lokhande, who is contesting against Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Bhausaheb Rajaram Wakchaure, independent candidate Gangadhar Kadam and VBA candidate Utkarsha Rupwate. The Shirdi Lok Sabha constituency was created on 19 February 2008 as a part of the implementation of the Presidential notification based on the recommendations of the Delimitation Commission of India constituted on 12 July 2002. It first held elections in 2009 and its first member of parliament (MP) was Bhausaheb Rajaram Wakchaure of Shiv Sena. Comprising six Vidhan Sabha segments, Shirdi Lok Sabha constituency encompasses parts of Ahmednagar district, along with its tehsil headquarters. Since 2014, the seat is held by Sadashiv Lokhande, a Shiv Sena party leader, now led by Eknath Shinde. Shirdi Lok Sabha constituency comprises six assembly seats: Kopargaon, Newasa, Akola, Sangamner, Shirdi, and Shrirampur. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the seat was won by Sadashiv Lokhande who won 486,820 votes and defeated Congress party's Bhausaheb Kamble. The 2024 elections in Shirdi has become quite dynamic with the entry of candidates from the Mahavikas Aghadi, as well as alliances and candidates from the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi and after the split of the Shiv Sena into two factions. Wakchaure secured victory over Dalit leader and Union Minister Ramdas Athawale in the 2009 election while running as a candidate for Shiv Sena. In Shirdi, similar to other regions in northern Maharashtra, onion growers have voiced their discontent regarding the government's move to levy a 40% tariff on onion exports. The matter of Maratha reservation could also impact the election's result in the region. (ANI)
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