Twitter
Advertisement

‘Outsider’ puts Deshmukh pride at stake

Former chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh’s prestige is at stake in his hometown Latur.

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

Former chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh’s prestige is at stake in his hometown Latur.

That’s because of a BJP campaign that portrays Congress candidate Jaywant Awale as an ‘outsider’ and an ‘enemy’ of Marathwada. This has pushed Congress on the backfoot in Latur, a reserved seat.

Awale, who will take on BJP’s Sunil Gaikwad, hails from Ichalkaranji in western Maharashtra. As a minister in the Vilasrao Deshmukh government in 2001, he had opposed the distribution of water to Marathwada from the Ujani dam. The BJP is now raking up that issue and using it to strike at Awale.

Though the BJP is trying to convince voters that Awale is a close aide of Vilasrao Deshmukh, though the truth is that Deshmukh wasn’t keen on Awale’s candidature. The former CM wanted municipality chief Vyankat Bedre, but another party heavyweight from the district, Shivraj Patil, opposed Bedre. So the party decided to field Awale and has asked Deshmukh to ensure his victory.

The BJP, however, is playing up what it calls the ‘D’ card. “We urge voters to demolish the ‘D’ gang in Latur,” Gaikwad told DNA.

“We tell them that vote for Awale means vote for the dynastic rule of Deshmukh. Awale will ignore voters after been elected as he is a pardesi (outsider),” he said.

The Congress, on the other hand, is seeking votes for development. “Vilasrao has changed Latur’s face in his two tenures as the CM. He has improved the infrastructure of the city. We convince the voters to vote for development,” said Balaji Pandhare, director of Manjra sugar factory, that Deshmukh helped set up.

Awale argued that the outsider issue will not impress voters. “Even LK Advani and Sushma Swaraj are contesting from places other than their native constituencies. Why don’t you call them outsiders?” he asked.

Refuting the allegation that he was against Marathwada’s development, Awale said that he will try to bring water from Krishna valley if elected.

The BJP seemed to fancy its chances. Party general secretary Vinod Tawde said, “The UPA’s non-performance and state government’s anti-farmer policies will help us in the election. Farmers are angry with Sharad Pawar and this will give us a lead in the constituency.”

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement