Siddharth Shirole Eyeing Second Win From Shivajinagar (image:facebook.com/siddharthshiroleBJP)

Siddharth Anil Shirole belongs to the well-known Shirole Patil Family of Shivajinagar in Pune. He is the son of former Pune MP Anil Shirole. In the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly Elections, Shirole is seeking his second term from Shivajinagar on a BJP ticket.

In the 2019 elections, Shirole secured 58,727 votes. In a closely contested electoral battle, he had defeated Congress candidate Datta Bahirat by a margin of 5,124 votes. This time also, the possibility of a tight contest is anticipated. Though there were a number of pursuers for the seat in the BJP, the party leadership nominated Shirole again for the seat; his  good performance in the constituency might have contributed as a strong factor in the decision.

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“In the last 5 years, funds of Rs 75 crore have been spent on various projects and schemes. The highest funds of Rs 65 crore have been brought during the rule of Mahayuti. . . . I believe that I will get a second chance and win again. People will give me a chance to represent them,” the Pune Mirror quotes, as Shirole is saying.

Besides, he has also well maintained good relationships with party leaders and is considered a close associate of senior BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Shirole also possesses a entrepreneurship side and vision. He heads the Parichay Group of Hotels and Restaurants in Pune. Prior to becoming a legislator, he had held significant positions including Councillor for Ward 14 (Deccan Gymkhana—Model Colony) of the Pune Municipal Corporation, Director of Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited, and National Finance Head of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM).

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The Shivajinagar constituency presents a diverse voter population, constituting people from police colonies, societies of elites, the middle class,  the poor and slum dwellers. In the tough fight in the constituency during the previous two elections, the saffron party successfully retained the constituency with Vijay Kale in 2014 and Siddharth Shirole in 2019, and hopes that this time will be a hat-trick for the party.  However, in Shivajinagar, votes of minorities, especially Dalits and Muslims, can be decisive.