The influential pontiff of the Janardhan Swami math at Verul had fought the 2009 Lok Sabha polls from Aurangabad and had secured around 1.48 lakh votes.
Jai Babaji.
This incantation seems to be playing on the minds of many candidates in and around Aurangabad as they actively woo godman Shantigiri Maharaj for support.
The influential pontiff of the Janardhan Swami math at Verul had fought the 2009 Lok Sabha polls from Aurangabad and had secured around 1.48 lakh votes. Incumbent Shiv Sena MP Chandrakant Khaire, who is vying for a fifth successive term in the Lok Sabha, could sail through only with a margin of over 33,000 votes from the saffron stronghold. In the subsequent state assembly polls, Shantigiri had supported the Congress-NCP.
This year, after announcing his withdrawal from the fray, political parties and candidates are vying for Shantigiri's support.
The devotees of 'Mahamandaleshwar Swami Shantigiri Maharaj,' who greet each other with 'Jai Babaji,' claim Shantigiri can tip the scales in at least seven Lok Sabha seats, in Marathwada and North Maharashtra.
"Maharaj may announce his political stance on Tuesday. He had contested in 2009 as he wanted to fight corruption and felt those with calibre can reform the system. After all, purifying the political system will set everything right," said his spokesperson Rajendra Pawar. He claimed that politicians across parties were in touch with the religious leader for his support since last year.
Pawar added that the godman would support candidates and political parties who agree with the cause of "dev, desh aani dharma (god, country and religion)," and claimed that the 'Jai Babaji Bhakta Parivar,' could swing over 8 lakh votes in Aurangabad, Jalna, Shirdi, Nashik, Dindori, Jalgaon and Dhule.
Even hard-bitten politicos admit that though these figures may be exaggerated, those with a religious authority like Shantigiri can swing the scales in tough contests.
That three of the four main contenders are Hindus in the constituency, which has a substantial presence of Muslims, making it more nail-biting. Congress MLA Abdul Sattar, who had rebelled against Zhambad's candidature, withdrew from the fray on Monday.
Similar keen contests are expected in other seats where Shantigiri's followers are said to be influential.
"We will benefit if Shantigiri Maharaj decides to support us as it will certainly swing some votes," said Shiv Sena Aurangabad district president Ambadas Danve. An associate of Jadhav, a two-term MLA from Kannad, claimed his leader was likely to get the religious leader's support.
However, a politician on the condition of anonymity warned that religious following would not necessarily translate into political support. "People may consider someone to be a saint but this does not necessarily mean they will base their voting choices on his opinions," he explained.
HUGE SUPPORT
Followers of Shantigiri Maharaj claim they have the support of over 8 lakh voters including Aurangabad (1.60 lakh), Jalna (52,000), Shirdi (1.10 lakh), Nashik (1.40 lakh), Dindori (1.75 lakh), Jalgaon (1.25 lakh), Dhule (60,000)
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