Political bigwigs file nomination papers
| Date :26-Mar-2019 |
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari submitting nomination papers as Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Datta Meghe, ex-MP, Dr Deepak Sawant, Shiv Sena leader, look on. (Right) Supporting Hands: Nana Patole filing nomination papers in company of Vilas Muttemwar, ex-MP, and others.
Total Support: Krupal Tumane submitting nomination accompanied by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Dr Deepak Sawant and Dr Rajiv Potdar.
Staff Reporter,
Democracy’s biggest festival, the elections, brings out the best of acts from each of the Indians. And nomination day brings out the best of talents as candidates pull out all stops to indulge in show of strength. On Monday, infected with ‘josh’ that often seemed uncontrollable, each one of the ground level party activist enjoyed the most of the opportunity. In the process, the streets became a stage with dancers matching their steps to beating drums that brought alive the diversity of India. And when drummers started Bhangra beat even the most reserved of the citizens could not help but shake a leg or two. Not to be outdone, women activists too wanted to pour out their hearts and danced enthusiastically, as they also wanted to be counted among the cheering crowd. Though the harsh rays of Sun had melted the tar on the road at Akashwani Square, for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters nothing mattered as it was a day to be happy and put away all worries for a later stage. With a straight fight on cards in Nagpur and Ramtek Lok Sabha constituencies between BJP-Shiv Sena alliance and Congress-Nationalist Congress Party combine, cadres of either bloc were in colourful mood right from the start. And it reflected in their mood throughout the day, till their leaders filled their official nominations. Even the Collectorate resembled a festival ground as each of the group's supporters wanted to make their presence felt on the day when it mattered the most.
Gadkari, Tumane file nomination papers
Staff Reporter,
The first day of the week began with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Krupal Tumane driving in open jeep accompanied by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to file their respective nomination papers from Nagpur and Ramtek constituencies of Lok Sabha. It was a show of strength on part of ruling combine and their grip on masses appeared clear and fine. Dancing to rapturous beating of drums, party activists and mid rung leaders enjoyed to hilt the day, and BJP rank and file the appeared confident of repeating the success in this round of elections also. Gadkari and Fadnavis arrived together at Samvidhan Square where they garlanded the statute of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. Thereafter Gadkari along with Tumane and a host of local BJP leaders travelled in open jeep till Collectorate. Accompanying the candidates was a saffron wave as massive number of party activists had turned up to register their presence. Given the organisational strength of BJP in city and district the scene of support to Gadkari and Tumane looked heartening. Gadkari submitted his nomination papers to District Collector and Returning Officer for Nagpur Lok Sabha constituency, Ashwin Mudgal. He was flanked by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Datta Meghe, ex-MP, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Guardian Minister, and Dr Deepak Sawant, Contact Chief of Shiv Sena. He has received backing from Republican Party of India (A), Bahujan Republican Ekta Manch. Separately, Tumane filed his nomination with Additional Collector and Returning Officer for Ramtek Lok Sabha constituency, Shrikant Fadke. During his submission, Nitin Gadkari and Chief Minister made it a point to be present along with Bawankule and Dr Sawant. Dr Rajiv Potdar, President, BJP, Nagpur Rural, was also present on the occasion. While the leaders were away filing nominations, the party activists of BJP-Sena got into act and made most of the waiting time by dancing merrily at Akashwani Square. Mid rung leaders too joined the young supporters and shook a leg or two, reflecting the confidence among them about retaining the lead position in district. Especially women activists of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were more in a mood today and did not want to be left behind. They formed their own small groups and ensured that they too danced lustily to show the support. The younger party office-bearers had a field time in enjoying the road show and dancing merrily.
BJP-Sena are sure to win again: Gadkari Talking informally with newspersons on sideline of nominations, Nitin Gadkari said BJP-Sena are sure to repeat last time success and ensure a clean sweep in State. To a question, the Union Minister said his agenda for elections is that of development and he would seek votes from electorate on that count. He reiterated that under leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, in Maharashtra, BJP-Sena performance is going to improve than the last general elections. Gadkari said, he is moved by the support of party activists and said now it's for them to take over the campaigning and reach out to voters with party's five year performance. Chief Minister addressing party activists at Akashwani Square said the large number of supporters who gathered today is an indication that BJP-Sena is going to win hands down in the district. We have to work together and work to bring back BJP in power for a new India under leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Patole, Gajbhiye also file papers
Staff Reporter,
The Congress Party put on a show of united front during the nomination rally of Nana Patole who is trying his luck at the hustings from Nagpur parliamentary constituency. Yes, for that matter, the turnout on Monday for the rally taken out by Patole was impressive, the supporters were behaving in typically Congress style. The city police machinery faced a trying times in controlling the wayward crowd in the Congress rally. Patole’s rally started in the open jeep from Bishop Cotton ground to Samvidhan Square and then to Collectorate. He was accompanied by Vilas Muttemwar, former Union Minister, leaders of all the factions, who seemed to have found common ground in Patole’s nomination by party high command. Patole himself was in driver’s seat as he drove down to Collectorate marching along with supporters. Number of women supporters were clearly lesser in number in comparison to BJP. Most of the party activists seemed to be youth who were uncontrollable and shouted slogans throughout the rally route that was diverted from near NMC and VCA stadium lane to Collectorate. As per plan the rally was to stop near New Secretariat Building but Congress workers were not in a mood to listen and wanted to accompany Patole all the way inside Collectorate compound. Compared to BJP-Sena, the Congress candidates from Nagpur and Ramtek, Nana Patole and Kishor Gajbhiye went separate ways to submit their nomination papers respectively. Rural Congress leaders earlier wrapped up nomination of Gajbhiye and later joined Patole’s rally. Even as Patole along with senior Congress leaders proceeded to file nomination, Congress Party activists were uncontrollable. Amidst their push and shove, Muttemwar fell down while trying to move inside, indicating joyous mood that youthful supporters of Congress were in today. The Congress candidates have received backing from Shetkari Kamgar Paksha, Bahujan Vikas Aghadi, People’s Republican Party (K).
Patole claims majority support
Nana Patole claimed majority support for his candidature and appeared confident of wrestling Nagpur Lok Sabha seat for Congress Party. Talking to newspersons after filing nomination papers, Patole further stated that he has come to provide a clean and new Nagpur to citizens. Vilas Muttemwar, ex-Union Minister, reiterated his demand for bringing out white paper on investment claims of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari in Nagpur city. The fact that BJP leaders are shying away from publishing white paper indicates that they have something to hide. He claimed that Congress will wrest both the Nagpur and Ramtek Lok Sabha seat and indicated the youths support today duZing process of nominations.