Fadnavis poised to win for fifth consecutive time
Date :25-Sep-2019
By Vikas Vaidya :
Completing five year term as Chief Minister without the experience of any ministry in last three terms is the creditable thing for Devendra Fadnavis of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) who is poised to win the assembly elections for the fifth consecutive time. Being Chief Minister, he had to remain busy but he was in touch with its constituency and saw that all developmental works should take place in State as well as in his constituency in a systematic manner.
Devendra Fadnavis has started his winning journey in the year 1999 from West Nagpur constituency when he defeated Ashok Dhawad of Congress by a margin of over 9,000 votes. In next election in 2004, from the same constituency, stalwart Congressman Ranjit Deshmukh had to bite the dust against Fadnavis. In 2009, with increase in population, one more constituency South West Nagpur was created and Fadnavis got the ticket from his party. Vikas Thakre was pitted against his old friend Fadnavis in 2009. Later on in 2014, Congress fielded Prafulla Gudadhe-Patil, son of former Minister and core BJP man Vinod Gudadhe-Patil against Fadnavis.
Gudadhes have dominance in most of the villages in South West Nagpur. Prafulla Gudadhe, a senior corporator, considered as sincere leader endeavored but Fadnavis defeated him. No voter thought they were voting to the candidate who would become Chief Minister. Except his experience of three term MLA, Fadnavis was never a minister. But, after becoming Chief Minister, Fadnavis gave a full justice to this coveted post. Fadnavis in last five years did so many works in his constituency. They include indoor sports stadium, beginning of development on London Street, green gyms, laying of sewer lines, construction of roads etc. Apart from this, Fadnavis has emerged as party leader, and head of State.
It was under his leadership that party won eight Municipal Corporations of State with thumping majority. Then Party gave him bigger responsibility of Lok Sabha elections and Fadnavis left no stone unturned. Witnessing the winning pace of BJP under Fadnavis, many stalwart leaders mostly from Nationalist Congress Party joined BJP. Win is sure for him, how much lead he registers is more important. Fadnavis, in his winning journey, defeated four different candidates in four elections. This time, too, there is a rare possibility of Gudadhe to be fielded against Fadnavis. Gudadhe himself has requested Party to shift him to West Nagpur constituency, for the reasons best known to him. Meanwhile, there is a twist in the politics of South West Nagpur constituency. Prashant Pawar, founder of Jai Jawan Jai Kisan has been given offer by Congress to fight from South West. Both Gudadhe and Pawar confirmed the respective developments. Gudadhe said, “It is true that I have requested Party high command to give me chance to contest from West Nagpur. Lets see what decision party high command would take.”
Pawar made it clear, “I have been given offer by Congress to contest against Chief Minister. I am sure that I would win the election be it against Fadnavis.” Pawar is known for his fiery and aggressive actions. He raised voices against Metro, cement roads, Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT). He had fought against Fadnavis earlier also when he got ticket from Bahujan Samaj Party from West Nagpur in 2004. He came third after Ranjit Deshmukh securing below 15,000 votes against 1,31,000 plus votes secured by Fadnavis. Recently during Lok Sabha elections, he had given his office to Nana Patole, Congress candidate. Patole ran his campaign from Pawar’s office in Kachhipura. If Pawar fail to secure ticket from Congress, he will be contesting elections from West Nagpur as Jai Jawan Jai Kisan party’s candidate.
