Nagpur.
In an exclusive interview with Nagpur Today, Vaibhav Vijay Naik claimed that, while working as an active party worker for 17 years, I learnt the problems of the people of my constituency. I was involved with them in the day to day activities, participated in the happy and sad events happening with the people of my constituency.
This gave a boost to morale and led to fight the elections from Sindhudurg Constituency. In the last polls, I lost by a margin of 20,000 votes. I was disheartened. At that time onwards I vowed not to wear chappals or shoes till I defeat Narayan Rane in the elections. I received a call from Matoshree informing me that Balasaheb Thackeray wanted to see me. I was so disheartened that I did not go. However, after 15 days, I again received a call from Matoshree saying that Balasaheb Thackeray wanted to see me urgently. I gathered courage and went to see him. Balasaheb Thackeray met me and encouraged me saying, don’t get disheartened. We never realized your potential. Balasaheb had added that you have gained a sizeable number of votes. Next time, we would offer all our support to you.
However, fighting the elections this time was fighting against a giant and seasoned politician Narayan Rane. However, since I had the backup and full support of Shiv Sena and inspiration from Balasaheb Thackeray, I became braver and campaigned with all my talents and capabilities.
Narayan Rane had completely ignored Sindhudurg constituency. He never bothered to even visit the citizens of his constituency. This had helped me and the people started trusting in me and assuring their support to me. This helped me win the election this year with a margin of 10,300 votes.
Vaibhav Naik’s Plans for Sindhudurg
During my tenure, I intend to ensure that all the schemes that Central or State Government implements or approves for the citizens should reach the citizens of Sindhudurg too. I will develop the area as a well developed Tourist destination. I will also try and provide all the services which will make Sindhudurg tourist friendly. I will also talk to the Industries Minister Subhash Desai so that some Industry can be set up even in Sindhudurg. He claimed that the 4 months of Monsoon makes the citizens practically poor since they have no means of livelihood or means of earning. One more pressing issue of the fishermen of my constituency is their demand for more Kerosene. More employment opportunities for the youth,
He claimed that Narayan Rane had cheated the people of Sindhudurg by not developing the area at all. As a former Heavy Industries Minister Narayan Rane has not started any new industry. Only 20 % of Industries are functioning. When Narayan Rane left Shiv Sena, he had convinced many Shiv Sainiks that the party high command has meted injustice to him. Some of his statements had caused tears to come out of our party Supremo Balasaheb Thackeray. So God ensured that he too sheds tears by losing in this year’s elections. He added that power is not an issue in Sindhudurg. He claimed that there is a 90% recovery of power bills of our area making our area an A-Grade.
When asked of his experience or feelings when he defeated a heavy weight and seasoned politician Narayan Rane, he said that the experience was that of utter satisfaction, pride, gratefulness for the trust that people had bestowed on me. Finally, I will be able to do something significant for the progress and development of our area and people of my constituency.
As told to Samuel Gunasekharan
