Lok Sabha polls 2019: Battle royale constituencies in phase 4

As voting in 72 parliamentary constituencies across nine states begins, the BJP seems to have a higher seats at stake as the party, along with its allies, swept 56 of these seats in 2014.

Over the past five years, however, some of these seats have witnessed political change such as a shift in political alliances, entry of new candidates and emergence of other political parties. Considering such changes, here are such key constituencies that are polling in phase 4:

Begusarai, Bihar

Former JNU student Kanhaiya Kumar is contesting on a CPI ticket against Union Minister Giriraj Singh in Bihar’s Begusarai constituency. Kumar’s entry into politics has added new flavours as the constituency which has been a battle field for the CPI, CPI(M), Congress and BJP. Kumar’s popularity has drawn support from youths and Bollywood celebrities while BJP’s Singh is banking on the party’s nationalist plank.

Key contestants: Giriraj Singh (BJP), Kanhaiya Kumar (CPI), Tanveer Hasan (RJD)

Mumbai North, Maharashtra

Veteran actor Urmila Matondkar is contesting on a Congress ticket from Mumbai North. She will be challenging BJP’s sitting parliamentarian Gopal Shetty.  Shetty had won the 2014 election against Sanjay Nirupam by over 4 lakh votes.

Key contestants: Urmila Matondkar (Congress), Gopal Shetty (BJP)

Mumbai South, Maharashtra

Congress leader Milind Deora, son of late Union Minister Murli Deora is fighting from Mumbai South against the Shiv Sena’s Arvind Sawant. In 2014, Sawant had defeated Deora by a margin of 1.28 lakh votes. This time, however, Deora is backed by two high-profile industrialists — Mukesh Ambani and Uday Kotak. Media reports suggest that the Congress is targeting small businessmen who were impacted due to demonetisation and the implementation of goods and services tax (GST).

Key contestants: Milind Deora (Congress), Arvind Sawant (Shiv Sena)

Mumbai North Central, Maharashtra

This constituency is witnessing the return of its 2014 candidates, Priya Dutt and Poonam Mahajan. The BJP’s Poonam Mahajan, the daughter of late Union Minister and senior BJP leader Pramod Mahajan, is facing the Congress candidate Priya Dutt, the daughter of veteran actor and Congress politician Sunil Dutt and the sister of actor Sanjay Dutt. With 18 lakh voters, the constituency comprises of the assembly segments of Vile Parle, Chandivali, Kurla, Kalina, Bandra East and Bandra West.

Key contestants: Poonam Mahajan (BJP), Priya Dutt (Congress)

Maval, Maharashtra

Maval will witness the much-awaited electoral debut of NCP leader Sharad Pawar’s grandnephew Parth Pawar. The party has allied with the Peasants Workers Party, which may improve its chances to win. The rival, however, Shiv Sena’s Shrirang Barne, has a stronger grassroots connect.

Key contestants: Parth Pawar (NCP), Shrirang Barne (SS)

Jodhpur, Rajasthan

The constituency will see a battle between Vaibhav Gehlot, son of Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. Gehlot won the seat five times since 1980. He is seen as making all efforts to ensure that his son has a successful political debut. Vaibhav Gehlot will be facing Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who won the 2014 elections by a margin of over 4 lakh.

Key contestants: Vaibhav Gehlot (Congress), Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (BJP)

Jhalawar-Baran, Rajasthan

The son of former chief minister Vasundhara Raje, Dushyant Singh, is contesting from the seat. Raje has won from this seat five times. The BJP candidate is up against Congress’ Pramod Sharma. Sharma was a former BJP leader.

Key contestants: Dushyant Singh (BJP), Pramod Sharma (Congress)

Unnao, Uttar Pradesh

BJP’s Sakshi Maharaj contesting the elections again, aiming for another term. Maharaj will be up against Congress’ Annu Tandon, who hopes to get a boost as Priyanka Gandhi campaigned for her in this constituency.

Key contestants: Sakshi Maharaj (BJP), Annu Tandon (Congress)

Asansol, West Bengal

BJP’s Babul Supriyo and TMC’s Moon Sen Moon. In 2014, the BJP had made inroads into this constituency but the TMC is making all efforts to win back this seat. Both the political parties are trying their best to win Asansol. The constituency also witnessed rallies from both TMC chief Mamata Baneerjee and BJP’s Narendra Modi.

Key contestants: Babul Supriyo (BJP), Moon Moon Sen (TMC), Gauranga Chatterjee (CPI-M)

Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh

Chief Minister Kamal Nath, who won from this seat nine times, has fielded his son, Nakul Nath, from Chhindwara. The Congress candidate, Nakul Nath will be facing the BJP’s Nathan Shah Kavreti. Going by the 2014 vote share and Kamal Nath’s popularity in this constituency, the odds seem to be stacked against the BJP.

Key contestants: Nakul Nath (Congress), Nathan Shah Kavreti (BJP)

Apart from these constituencies, some other key constituencies are Maharashtra’s Nashik, which will see Sameer Bhujbal, nephew of NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal contesting; Uttar Pradesh’s Farrukhabad, which has former Union Minister Salman Khurshid contesting and  Odisha’s Kendrapara, from where ex-BJD leader and current BJP leader Baijayant Panda is contesting.