Despite dissidence, challenges of rebels, parties intensify campaigning

 

 

 

The local body election campaign is in its last phase with leaders putting their might to ensure success of their party candidates. Polling to elect 100 councillors and four civic chiefs in all four Municipal Councils of Bhandara, Tumsar, Paoni and Sakoli is slated on December 2. In all 696 candidates, that includes 34 candidates for the 4 MC President’s post and 662 candidates for 100 councillor’s post are fighting it out. Parties have made their best to field worthy candidates but they are facing dissident and challenges of the party rebels. In NCP (AP), under the leadership of their stalwart MP Praful Patel, former MLC Rajendra Jain, District Party President Nana Panchbudhe, BDCC Bank Chairman Sunil Funde, Dhananjay Dalal and others are striving hard for their candidate’s victory. The entire campaign of Shiv Sena (Shinde) is revolving round the sitting Bhandara MLA Narendra Bhondekar. Similarly, in BJP, former Guardian Minister Dr Parinay Fuke is guiding his team.

 

BJP District President Ashu Gondhane, former MP Sunil Mendhe and other leaders are leaving no stone unturned to woo the voters. MLA Nana Patole is the star campaigner for the Congress party. With the support of MP Dr Prashant Padole, Congress District President Mohan Panchbhai, the party is seeking people’s favour for their candidates. The poll campaign was intensified with the public meetings of Chief Minister Devndra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. MP Praful Patel is shouldering the responsibility for the NCP (AP) candidates , MLA Bhondekar for SS (Shinde) candidates, MLA Patole and others for Congress candidates and former MLA Charan Waghmare is campaigning for the NCP (SP) candidates. In Bhandara, there is four corner fight with the all three factions of Mahayuti contesting against each other. BJP has fielded Madhura Milind Madankar, against Congress’ Jayshree Ravindra Borkar, SS (Shinde) is contesting Dr Ashvini Bhondekar, who is the wife of MLA Bhondekar, and NCP (AP) has given ticket to Sushma Sunil Sakharkar. In Tumsar, Congress has fielded former MLA Anil Bawankar against the challenges of former civic chiefs Abhishek Jagdish Karemore (NCP-AP), Pradeep Padole (BJP). Hemraj Nagfase is contesting on NCP (SP) ticket, Kalyani Bhure is in the fray on SS (Shinde)ticket. Rebels Ashish Kukade and Sagar Gabhne have made the election interesting.

 

In Paoni MC, BJP has fielded Bhawna Bhajipale, against Shalini Nandhardhane of Congress. Dr Vijaya Nandurkar of NCP (AP), Madhuri Talmale of NCP (SP) and Yashodhara Ambade is in fray on SS (UBT) ticket. In the Sakoli MC, is the home town of Congress MLA Nana Patole. The party has fielded Sunita Ashok Kapgate against the tough preposition of Devshree Megendra Kapgate of BJP, Bharti Mohan Lanje of NCP (AP), Vandana Gulab Pohane of SS (Shinde) and there are five other candidates in fray as independents. After the polling on December 2, results will be out on 3rd. The outcome will decide the fate of BJP-SS (Shinde) alliance in Bhandara. It may be noted that leaders of both the parties have openly come up against each other by making corruption charges and giving warning of exposing the names of legislator being involved in illegal activities.