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BJP rebel makes Arni fight 3-way

Yavatmal: With the outgoing MLA and BJP rebel Raju Todsam jumping into poll fray, Arni (ST) assembly constituency is likely to witness a triangular contest. While there are 11 candidates in the fray, the main contenders include Shivajirao Moghe of Congress and Dr Sandeep Dhurve of BJP.

Arni constituency, predominantly a tribal belt with Gond community having a say over the determination of the fate of winning candidate, was earlier known as Kelapur assembly seat before the delimitation exercise.



Congress veteran Moghe, who had represented the constituency for eight terms and lost only on two occasions, is confident of wresting the seat from the ruling BJP. Moghe had lost to BJP’s Dr Sandeep Dhurve in 2004 and Raju Todsam in 2014.

Moghe, while talking to TOI here on Wednesday, expressed confidence in regaining his lost citadel. When asked about his vision for the constituency, Moghe said, “My priority is to restart the pending Lower Penganga interstate project as it is the only solution to increase irrigation facility in the region. Despite 90% work on the project, the BJP government has deliberately stalled the project due to its vindictive attitude towards the Congress. If the project is commissioned, farmers would be able to take three crops a year.”

Moghe also aims to develop Pandharkawda MIDC as seven-star industrial area apart from ensuring completion of police constable training centre for which Rs56 crore were sanctioned by the Congress government.

BJP candidate Dr Dhurve was critical about the party rebel Todsam and said he would repeat the 2004 victory by defeating Moghe of the Congress. Dhurve said he would concentrate on the all-round development of tribals, besides constructing good roads and ensuring pure drinking water to all villagers in the constituency.

Sitting BJP MLA Todsam wants to improve the life of 1.5 crore tribals across the state.

“I know there is large scale unemployment. My priority is to ensure job for youths for which textile units have been sanctioned for the area which will provide jobs for 1,000 tribals.” Irrigation coverage has been increased from 9% to 28% during his tenure as MLA, Todsam said adding he plans to increase it to 50% for which Rs50 crore have been sanctioned for Waghadi river project.

CONSTITUENCY ANALYSIS : ARNI (ST)

WINNER IN 2014 ELECTION: Raju Todsam (BJP)

RUNNER UP : Adv. Shivajirao Moghe (Congress)

VOTING PERCENTAGE: 69.09

KEY CONTESTANTS

Adv. Shivajirao Moghe (Congress)

Dr Sandeep Dhurve (BJP)

Raju Todsam (BJP rebel)

No of voters: 3,11,996

KEY ISSUES

Unemployment, Pending Lower Penganga project and related issues

Drinking water problem, poor roads, loan waiver and farmer suicides

Poor educational and health facilities especially to tribal hamlets

Failure to implement schemes for tribals, corruption

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