Dushyant gives first political win to MVA after its formation
| Date :05-Feb-2020 |
By Vikas Vaidya :
The victory of Dushyant Chaturvedi, Shiv Sena candidate in Yavatmal Legislative Council bypoll is a blow to Bharatiya Janata Party is one thing. This victory can be called as the first major political win of Maha Vikas Aaghadi (MVA) after its formation. MVA did register victories in local bodies elections but Yavatmal election was looked from the different perspective. Since the announcement of name of Chaturvedi, the election gave several surprises. Even Chaturvedi too did not think of contesting election nor he was ambitious. Though his victory was speculated as a clear-cut one, for him it was not easy.
This bypoll was conducted because Tanaji Sawant, MLC of this constituency won from the Osmanabad constituency in the State Assembly elections held in October. Obviously he no more remained MLC. In his place Shiv Sena brought new face in the form of Dushyant Chaturvedi, a soft spoken son of ex-Guardian Minister of Nagpur Satish Chaturvedi. For Shiv Sena and all the constituents of MVA, the election was a prestige issue. They wanted to retain the seat.
To their fortune the political equations in State have changed as Shiv Sena, Congress and Nationalist Congress Party joined hands that benefited Dushyant Chaturvedi in Yavatmal to win the elections. Sumit Bajoria was the candidate in fray from Bharatiya Janata Party. Ex-Chief Minister and present Leader of Opposition in State Assembly Devendra Fadnavis, Nagpur’s Mayor Sandip Joshi, Yavatmal BJP leader Madan Yerawar and others did endeavour and stood firmly behind Bajoria. But it did not stand in front of united voting spirit of MVA. Apart from Chaturvedi and Bajoria there were four independents in fray. When name of Dushyant was announced Balu Mungirwar of Shiv Sena became rebel and filed his nomination. Later he was called by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Shiv Sena Pakshpramukh. He convinced Mungirwar and the opposition was diluted. Meanwhile four independents too withdrew from the fray. All these developments made a difference making victory sure for Dushyant.
It is evident from the lead he registered while winning this important election. There was some internal opposition within the party to Dushyant like Shiv Sena Member of Parliament of Yavatmal-Washim Bhavna Gawli was against his candidature. But highly placed sources disclosed her opposition failed to reach Matoshri. Sumit Bajoria, the BJP candidate has a good name in Yavatmal and surrounding areas. His brother Sandip had won election from this constituency before Tanaji Sawant.
He had contested election against Tanaji Sawant but had to bite a dust. Apart from his brother’s experience, Sumit Bajoria had full support from Madan Yerawar and even Fadnavis took lot of efforts. He being local from Yavatmal carried the sympathy too. But the united votes of MVA made all the difference. According to sources at Mumbai, Uddhav Thackeray was himself taking an interest and wanted Dushyant to win. He had shouldered the responsibility of this election upon Sanjay Rathod, the Minister. Rathod did not leave any stone unturned and worked from morning 8 am to late night hours.