BJP has fielded Sharad Bansode (50), who fought and lost against Shinde in the last 2009 Lok Sabha poll.
Solapur constituency, comprising urban and rural segments, goes to polls on April 17.
Bansode, considered popular among youths with his creation of a patriotic platform in the city for propagation of thoughts of freedom fighter Veer Savarkar, is however, not expected to penetrate the grass root vote bank of Congress that has formed the support base of Shinde.
Confident about Shinde's victory, Congress supporters of the Home minister say, “he has contributed a lot to Solapur's development by upgrading MIDC facilities and establishing NPTC power grid to spur industrial growth in various sectors as well as improving connectivity by implementing various highway construction projects for a better access to the city.”
However, questioning Shinde's work as MP, Bansode says, “Despite holding high office in Delhi, the Congress leader has failed to fulfil his promises of Solapur's development and acute water supply problem.”
