The BJP had swept all 26 seats in the state in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Sujay Vikhe Patil joined the BJP in the run-up to the polls, after the NCP refused to vacate the Ahmednagar seat for the Congress. In 14 constituencies that will go to the polls in the second phase on April 23, BJP is contesting all the seats. Congress and JD(S) that are facing the polls in alliance have fielded their candidates in 12 and two constituencies respectively. The Lok Sabha polls are being conducted in seven phases between April 11 and May 19.

Source: Mint April 21, 2019 14:37 UTC