Close to 80,000 voters from 42 villages, earlier from Shirur constituency, now merged with Ambegaon, are likely to emerge as a decisive force here. The voting percentage in these villages was about 70 per cent as against the 60-65 per cent in the rest of the constituency.

Villages Pabal-Panchakroshi, Loni and Dhamani are considered to be Shiv Sena strongholds.

“We have always supported the Sena, irrespective of the candidate. We shall continue to do so,” a few women voters from Munjalwadi had said prior elections.

Anticipating their importance, both the prime candidates — Kalpana Shivajirao Adhalrao and Dilip Walse-Patil — had conducted extensive campaigns here. During the Lok Sabha elections, Adhalrao had managed to beat NCP candidate by 1.78 lakh votes, something that was unexpected. “Shirur is still considered a Sena stronghold despite the presence of NCP supporters in the 42 newly merged villages,” said Ashok Bajare, an affluent farmer from Ambegaon.

Another factor is the imbroglio that had happened when Baburao Pacharne turned a rebel. “Pacharne left BJP to join NCP during the Lok Sabha polls as he was promised a ticket for these assembly elections. However, when NCP also denied him a ticket, he contested as an Independent from Shirur. We are guessing that Pacharne supporters within the NCP camp, which are a sizeable number of voters, must have voted for the Sena,” said Vitthal Munjal, a youth from Munjalwadi.

Unlike voters in Dimbhe, Ghodewadi and Manchar that have always been in Ambegaon constituency, those in these newly merged villagers are likely to stick to their traditional voting pattern. “We have always supported NCP. Walse-Patil have not only helped us personally, but have also done various development works in this area,” said a group of senior citizens from Kavathe Yamai. To woo the voters, Adhalrao had declared certain water-related schemes. “The 20,000 population in Pabal-Panchakroshi and Loni-Dhamani are dependent on monsoon for agriculture. Kalpanatai has various plans for water management like increasing the height of a nearby bund,” said Shivajirao Adhalrao.

... contd.