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Agrarian policies, political legacies at test in Dindori poll contest

NASHIK: Dindori parliamentary constituency is a test for BJP’s agrarian policies and water crisis in the region.


The constituency that is reserved for the tribals, it has seen contestants from key parties jumped sides for tickets. Bharti Pawar, daughter-in-law of eight time MLA late AT Pawar from Kalwan , crossed over to BJP from NCP after the party inducted Dhanraj Mahale from the Shiv Sena .



“Traditionally, the MP here has been chosen more on goodwill than political undercurrents. The incumbent three-time MP from BJP Harishchandra Chavan, who has been benched, always won despite having no or less saffron representation in assembly as well as the local self-governing bodies,” political observers said.

But this time, the goodwill factor is missing. The contestants will have to earn their votes in a tough contest. Local MLA J P Gavit is the CPM contestant and his native place is Surgana in Kalwan assembly segment – where AT Pawar wielded considerable control.

“Pawar was the final word in assembly elections – whichever party he was in. Gavit, meanwhile, has emerged as a strong contender in the segment. He will also attract voters from Dindori – the home pitch of NCP candidate. The NCP will draw advantage of the situation from Nandgaon, Yeola seats, which are completely with the party,” NCP office-bearers said.

BJP office-bearers, however, see the picture as a little different. “Today, the Shiv Sena and the BJP have made in-roads in the local self-governing bodies of the region. The strength has definitely doubled. An indication is that the Nashik Zilla Parishad is controlled by Shiv Sena as against the NCP bastion during the last LS polls,” a leader said.

Given all the political mix, locals point out that the fight will be on issues related to agriculture and water. “The Bhujbals had chalked out Manjarpada-1 scheme for diverting west-flowing rivers from Peth towards water-deficit regions in the district. By 2014, 80% of the work was done. The BJP did not complete the project in all these years. Why should we vote for such a party?” said Sanjay Usheer from Nandgaon.

Now, the BJP government is promising water through river linking, but the rumour is that it is intended to benefit Gujarat . “There is never a concrete step from the government that will help us decide. We are skeptical about their promise,” he said.

On agrarian policies as well, farmers are speaking the same language. “This is an onion producing belt. Neither has there been some processing units nor as the situation changed from what it was during the last four decades. The NCP seeking votes is also unlikely to change the prospects,” Keshav Kadam, a farmer from Lasalgaon said.

When PM Narendra Modi addressed this belt on Monday, the way in which the crowd started walking out of his rally in just eight minutes has sent strong signals to the BJP.

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