A turbulent day for ticket Congress decides to go solo

 

Taking calculated risk again, the grand old Congress Party has chosen to go solo in the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) election. The much anticipated alliance of Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) failed to work out as the seat-sharing talks did not work out. On the other hand, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), though in a dominant position in second capital of the State, worked hard to clinch a deal with ally Shiv Sena (Shinde). The decision of Congress Party not to cede the seats sought by Nationalist Congress Party (SP) and Shiv Sena (UBT) is quite surprising given the fact that in the last election, the decision to avoid alliance cost the grand old party quite dearly. Though one can understand ignoring NCP (SP), as due to split in the party its cadre here is almost negligible, as to SS (UBT), political observers said Congress should have gone for alliance. But the Congress leadership seems to have taken a view that post split in both the regional parties, the cadre base has eroded and hence it decided to contest on its own. For BJP, conceding eight seats to SS (Shinde) was not that easy as on its own, the party has over the years made inroads in every part of the city.

 

The saffron party chose to ignore the pressure from grassroot workers and decided to accommodate Sena. But here too, BJP played smart and adjusted some of its loyalists on Sena ticket leaving the party workers in a tight spot. Against that, Congress seems to be quite confident of facing the voters on basis of its organisational strength. East Nagpur: However the decision of Congress to ignore claims of Purshottam Hazare in Pardi area could prove costly in the East Nagpur. Hazare has strong base in Pardi, Punapur, Bhawani Nagar areas and the decision to exclude him would definitely make a dent in the Congress votes. As per reports, Hazare was upset at being sidelined during the Assembly election and contested as Independent and was subsequently expelled from the Congress. Congress that time conceded seat to Nationalist Congress Party (SP) which was a big mistake as their candidate Duneshwar Pethe fared very poorly and got trounced by wide margin in a straight fight against BJP’s Krishna Khopde.

 

North Nagpur: Same thing also went against Manoj Sangole who too was removed from party for choosing to contest from North Nagpur Assembly segment against party nominee Dr Nitin Raut. So with Dr Raut opposed to Sangole, the Congress chose to ignore Sangole’s claim. Here too however, Congress may have damaged a sure shot seat given Sangole’s public contact with the electorate. A clean image and rooted to grassroot, Sangole chose to join NCP (AP) as doors to Congress were already closed for him. His hold in Prabhag 2 is quite significant and for Dr Raut, it’s going to be extra hard work to get his nominees elected. Nominees: The list released by Congress has some old hands like Ravindra Paigwar and Dipak Patel, both with erstwhile Lok Dal floated by Atal Bahadur Singh. Paigwar was even Chairman of NMC’s Standing Committee. His presence in field is going to increase Congress’ standing among Halba as party is keen to expand its base for future elections.

 

Similarly, Patel and his father earlier were elected from Cotton Market area where they have significant hold. With Dayashankar Tiwari withdrawing from the election race, Patel hopes his chances of clinching victory have increased. Further, wards of erstwhile Congress stalwarts like Ashok Dhawad, his son Abhishek is nominated from Prabhag 16 D, then from Late Jayant Lute’s family Sharda Rajendra Lute is given ticket from Prabhag 18 B, Sujata Kombade, from Late Wamanrao Kombade’s family, long time associate of Nasikrao Tirpude, is also in fray. Other prominent names in the Congress list are from ex-corporator Deva Usre’s family where Maristella is given the ticket, from Raja Dronkar’s family Kalpana is nominated in Prabhag 7 A seat, from Prabhag 20 Asha Ramesh Punekar. Interestingly, Congress adjusted Punekar despite his rebel act in Assembly election where party nominee Bunty Shelke narrowly lost due to division of Halba votes. Senior Congress leader Praful Gudadhe, who got edged out due to women reservation, has opted out and instead fielded his wife Kumuduni in Prabhag 38. It was speculated that Praful might contest from adjoining Prabhag 37. Ex-corporators Prashant Dhawad, Sanjay Mahakalkar have also been repeated by Congress. 

 

 

Nationalist Congress Party (SP) has hit out at Congress Party leadership for not choosing to go for pre-poll tie-up in civic election. A release issued by party claimed that Congress decision it seems is influenced to ensure that ruling BJP can sail easily in the elections. MVA united front could have successfully given fight to BJP but local Congress leaders after agreeing to leave some seats for NCP gave B forms to its candidates.