By Tejas Navale
Pune, November 10, 2024: The rivalry between Maval’s key candidates, Bapu Bhegade and Sunil Shelke, has reached a boiling point, with their supporters clashing in Lonavala on Wednesday during campaign activities. The confrontation marks yet another incident in the intensifying feud between these two candidates.
While conducting their respective campaigns in Lonavala, both groups unexpectedly encountered each other, sparking an intense verbal exchange. Slogans were shouted, and accusations were traded between the two sides. What began as a heated exchange quickly escalated, and after a brief scuffle, the confrontation turned physical, with supporters from both camps engaging in a full-blown brawl.
Following the incident, police complaints were filed against both Shelke, the sitting MLA, and Bhegade at the Lonavala Police Station. This marks Shelke’s second legal run-in during the election period; earlier, he was booked by Shirgaon Police for breaching campaign time limits set by the Election Commission of India.
In Maval, the stakes are high. Sunil Shelke, contesting on an NCP ticket, faces an unexpected challenge from Bapu Bhegade, his own party colleague who has rebelled and filed as an independent candidate against Shelke. Interestingly, no major party has fielded its candidate against Shelke in Maval, and almost all the parties have rallied their support behind Bapu Bhegade against Shelke in Maval.
