KOLHAPUR: An interesting triangular fight is on the cards in Solapur, where the Bharatiya Janata Party has declared the nomination of Lingayat seer Jai Siddheshwar Shivacharya against Congress stalwart and former Union minister Sushilkumar Shinde.Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi founder, Prakash Ambedkar, is also set to throw his hat in the ring by filing his nomination from Solapur on Monday. Ambedkar's son, Sujat, confirmed on Saturday that his father is set to file his nomination papers from the Solapur seat.By nominating the seer, BJP has ditched its sitting MP Sharad Bansode, who had comfortably defeated Shinde on his home turf in 2014.Shivacharya is a leading spiritual personality within the dominant Lingayat community here. He runs a mutt at Gaudgaon village in Akkalkot taluka of Solapur district.Three Assembly segments - Akkalkot, South Solapur and Solapur North - of Solapur Lok Sabha constituency have decisive Lingayat voters. The seer, who enjoys cordial ties with the RSS and BJP leadership, is also one of those prominent Lingayat leaders who has opposed minority and separate religion status for the community.The BJP believes its traditional vote bank will be consolidated because of the seer. The party also hopes to benefit in constituencies where the Lingayat community is dominant.But a section of Lingayats is expected to oppose Shivacharya's entry into active politics. A meeting of Lingayat members last week warned that any spiritual leader who enters politics will face the community's wrath. The meeting, under the banner of the Lingayat Dharma Vichar Manthan, passed a resolution seeking reservation in government jobs and educational institutions.While Shinde has represented Solapur in the state Assembly and the Lok Sabha, Shivacharya and Prakash Ambedkar will be fighting from Solapur for the first time. Ambedkar had addressed a rally with All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Asaddudin Owaisi in Solapur, which generated considerable political buzz in Maharashtra Solapur has sizeable Muslim and Dalit population. Ambedkar is banking on these votes, which could prove to be a headache for the Congress. The AIMIM also has shown growing influence in Solapur over the past few years. The Hyderabad-based party now has nine corporators across Solapur and its candidates secured number two position in the local municipal corporation election, which was held two years ago.

Stay updated with all the Latest Kolhapur headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.