The electoral environment in Maharashtra is at its best and all parties are trying their best to show their strength. According to experts, OBC voters play an important role in the state assembly seat of Ghansawangi, which also includes Antarwali Sarti, which is the center of the Maratha reservation movement under the leadership of Manoj Jarange. Ghansawangi is part of Jalna district, which is located in the Marathwada region of the state. The impact of the reservation movement in this area decimated the BJP and Maha Vikas Aghadi won seven of the eight Lok Sabha seats.
The Ghansawangi seat has been represented by senior NCP (SP) leader and former state minister Rajesh Tope since 2009. In the elections to be held on November 20, he will face Shiv Sena-led Hikmat Udhan by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Tope had won the 2019 election by a narrow margin of 1,600 votes.
‘I spoke to Manoj Jarange…’
According to the agency, Tope said that no issue in the constituency is new to me. I have worked for all sections, I have not spoken with Jaranga. I just keep doing my job. There is a favorable environment for Maha Vikas Aghadi.
Journalist Ravi Munde says the presence of rebels Satish Ghadge (who was with the BJP) and Shivajirao Chothe (who was with the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT)) could lead to division of Maratha votes.
Munde said, “The votes of the other backward classes will be important in Ghansawangi constituency. The decisions taken by Jarange regarding the elections will also be a factor. Other communities are angry with Tope for his help in the reservation movement of Maratha.”
Former Ghansawangi ‘city president’ Rajendra Deshmukh said that due to the split in the NCP (after Ajit Pawar joined the Shinde government in July last year), Tope’s prospects will also take a hit . He said even if Jaranga does not field a candidate, the Maratha votes may be divided and Udhaan may also get some.
Also read: ‘Fadnavis is anti-Maratha, nothing happens in the government without his consent’, Manoj Jarange’s big accusation against the deputy CM.
Dalit and Muslim leaders meet Jarange
Several Dalit and Muslim leaders met Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange at Antarwali Sarti in Jalna on Thursday and announced their commitment to formulate a “common minimum programme” for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections. They will celebrate on November 20. Addressing a gathering on the occasion, Jarange asked Dalits and Muslims to support the candidates supported by them and asked Marathas to do the same for Dalit and Muslim candidates.
“Our unity is necessary to challenge the establishment and defeat those who work against our communities,” Jarange said.
Islamic scholar Sajjad Nomani accused the BJP of “dividing the country along religious lines” and said a united front was needed to avoid splitting votes. He said that we have decided to draw up a common minimum program for the elections. Our unit is an example not only for Maharashtra but for the entire country.
Supporting his stand, Dalit leaders Rajratna Ambedkar and Anandaraj Ambedkar also said that unity was needed to overthrow the “entrenched power”.
