Even as the names of candidates for the Lok Sabha election are getting finalised, a war of words has begun in Shrirur - the new constituency carved out of Baramati and Khed constituencies.

Shivaji Adhalrao Patil, the sitting Shiv Sena MP from Khed is making light of NCP’s attempts to field Haveli MLA Vilas Lande. Not to be outdone, Lande says he will leave it to the voters to take a call.

“I don’t consider Vilas Lande as my opponent,” said Patil, reeling out statistics about the development work that he has carried out in the Khed constituency. “Look, even Sharad Pawar refused to contest against me. This is because of my image among the voters,” he said. Lande however said he will leave it to the voters and will give a befitting reply to Patil. “Let’s leave it to the voters. I don’t want to say anything about my opponents. I believe voters are the best judges,” said Lande, a former mayor of Pimpri-Chinchwad.

The NCP has more or less zeroed in on Lande as its Shirur candidate and his name is expected to be announced soon, sources said.

Patil is convinced that he has the edge in Shirur given the rapport that he enjoys with the people in the constituency. “I have been in regular touch with my people. I have consistently remained at their beck and call. On polling day I will be voted in for the development work I did during my term,” said Patil.

“Lande is not known much as an elected representative nor has he carried out any work beyond Bhosari,” said Seema Salve of Shiv Sena.

Lande said NCP workers have already fanned out in different assembly segments of Shirur constituency.