Nagpur News.
Uncertainty mounts the media reports about Shiv Sena vying to field District President and former deputy mayor Shekhar Sawarbandhe against BJP candidate Nitin Gadkari as the former’s close associate categorically denied any such development. A newspaper report carried on Wednesday claimed that Shiv Sena was considering Sawarbandhe to pit against Gadkari. The move was seen as Shiv Sena’s retaliation towards Gadkari’s proximity with MNS chief Raj Thakre.
According to the report, Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thakre was in Nagpur along with senior BJP leader Gopinath Munde. Since then the speculations were rife that Shiv Sena could register its presence in poll fray against Gadkari. It was said that Shiv Sena faction has urged Sawarbandhe to meet Uddhav’s personal assistant. This was seen as an indication that Uddhav might come out with something concrete against Gadkari.
Image Courtesy ABP Mazha
Sources revealed that Sawarbandhe’s name emerged after due deliberation on BSP’s formula during last general elections. During 2009 polls BSP fielded Manikrao Vaidya from Nagpur, who received about 1.5 lakh votes. Then it was believed that whatever BSP would gain could turn into loss for Congress. But the results delivered entirely opposite to BJP’s expectations. Vaidya captured more votes from Teli samaj than votes from dalit community. Teli Samaj is considered as traditional vote bank of BJP. This division of votes proved dear to BJP whose candidate Banwarilal Purohit faced defeat by a considerable margin of 24,000 votes. Trending on the similar equation, sources said there was consistent pressure from Matoshree to field Sawarbandhe, who represents Teli Samaj as its candidate in Nagpur. The point was also pushed at Uddhav called the district presidents’ meet at Sena Bhawan.
However Sawarbandhe has maintained silence over the development. Sources said that BJP has been trying to root out Sawarbandhe’s influence in Nagpur. This is being seen as the reason for Sawarbandhe’s resentment. The report added that anti-Gadkari lobby first tried to field former MLA Mohan Mate against Gadkari. Mate belongs to Kunbi community and termed as staunch opponent of Gadkari after he lost candidature for commenting against Gadkari. However Mate turned down the Shiv Sena’s offer to contest against Gadkari, following which Sena moved towards Sawarbandhe.
