Thorat and Vikhe-Patil square off on home turf — Ahmednagar

“The two were archrivals even while in the same party. Now, their rivalry is out in the open after Vikhe-Patil joined BJP,” said a Thorat aide in Sangamner.

In response, Thorat said the Congress would field a strong candidate against Vikhe-Patil in his Assembly constituency Shirdi. Dr Sudhir Tambe, who represents the state legislature council, is among those shortlisted and under consideration to run against Vikhe-Patil. The district has two Lok Sabha constituencies, Ahmednagar and Shirdi, and 12 Assembly seats.

Sources familiar with the matter said Thorat is likely hoping that a strong Congress candidate in Shirdi would keep Vikhe-Patil confined to his own constituency and prevent him from campaigning across Ahmednagar. But Vikhe-Patil said he is not worried. “Work will speak. And results will prove who stands where,” he said.