Anand Adsul, Navneet Rana all set to lock horns again
| Date :06-Apr-2019 |
Anand Adsul, Navneet Rana
By Pravin Kapile:
Shiv Sena MP Anand Adsul and his arch-rival UPA-supported Independent candidate Navneet Rana are all set to lock horns once again after 2014 Lok Sabha election for the poll battle in Amravati (SC reserved) constituency that will go to polls on April 18. Gunwant Deopare of Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi is also trying to make it a triangular contest like 2014 election. Last time, riding on Modi wave, Adsul had emerged victorious in the triangular contest among Adsul, Rana and Deopare.
Five-time sitting MP, Adsul has presented Amravati LS constituency in 2009 and 2014. He had earlier represented Buldana Lok Sabha constituency thrice before shifting to Amravati SC reserved constituency. He has also served as Minister of State for Finance in Atal Behari Vajpayee-led NDA Government. He has done some good work in the form of starting new trains and other facilities at railway stations.
But the long-pending issues like Badnera Wagon Repairing Factory, Bharat Dyanamics Missile Factory at Nandgaon Peth, Belora Airport, urban and rural development and his poor connectivity with people could hamper Adsul’s prospect in the election. But, the strong support from BJP is the biggest plus point for him along with Shiv Sena’s traditional voters. Adsul’s enmity with MLA Ravi Rana is a well-known fact and many times it reached to extreme levels.
He had raised the issue of Navneet Rana’s caste validity certificate many times and the case is still sub judiced. On the other hand, forgetting her defeat in 2014, Navneet Rana has been maintaining regular contact with voters all over constituency through various programmes and projects, including distributing grocery during festive season, holding women’s rallies and ‘Dahi Handi’ contests and others. Being a former film actress from South, she has managed to grab the attention of some sections of society, especially youths and women. However, aggressive nature of her husband and MLA Ravi Rana and his enmity with almost all party leaders and public representatives could prove harmful to Navneet Rana. Some Congress and NCP leaders are disappointed with her candidature and are keeping themselves away from her poll campaign. Apparently, Congress and NCP leaders are finding their future gloomy if she manages to win the election and hence they are maintaining distance from her campaign.
On the other hand, Congress and NCP leaders have no problem with Anand Adsul and therefore they have a soft corner for him instead of Navneet Rana. Aniruddha alias Bablu Deshmukh, District President of Congress, and Adv Yashomati Thakur, MLA, have clearly raised doubts over Rana’s loyalty and asked her to be loyal with UPA if she gets elected. Gunwant Deopare, another top contestant, who had contested the 2014 election as a BSP candidate, this time preferred Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi. He is trying to make it a triangular contest. His success depends on Bharip Bahujan Mahasangh and All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen Party’s magic by fetching majority of vote share from their respective core voters. However, he was missing from the constituency post his defeat in 2014. Arun Wankhade of BSP is also contesting the election. Apparently, the contest in Amravati constituency seems to be straight between Anand Adsul and Navneet Rana.
