Nagpur, July 14: The stage is set for a straight fight between sitting MLC and state BJP president Nitin Gadkari and Congress-NCP supported Baban Taywade for the state legislative council (MLC) elections of the graduate constituency slated to be held tomorrow in Nagpur division.
A former opposition leader in upper house, Gadkari who is seeking fourth term is pitted against first timer contestant Taywade in a keenly fought encounter.
The BJP stalwart has left no stone unturned in his effort to retain his seat, which is probably first time challenged by Congress candidate Taywade supported by NCP and RPI.
Gadkari had won previous election unopposed and is banking on his traditional right wing votes including those from Shiv Sena.
He single handedly canvassed all along the electioneering. BJP-Sena leaders gathered only during his filing of nomination papers while a last minute cancellation of BJP national general secretary Gopinath Munde's visit to city to canvass for him sent some wrong signals.
Firebrand Dalit leader and president of People's Republican Party (PRP) Jogendra Kawade and his niece and former state minister in Vilasrao Deshmukh's cabinet, Sulekha Kumbhare have extended support to Gadkari while a section of Dalit leaders have taken strong exception to this "unholy" alliance. Though Taywade is novice in political arena but is a known heavyweight in Nagpur University politics and a trusted aide of outgoing Pradesh Congress Committee president Prabha Rau.
Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh's address to party workers in presence of warring factions of City Congress leaders and two prominent ministers, Union Minister for new and renewable energy, Vilas Muttemwar and State Textile Minister Satish Chaturvedi sharing the platform have given a plans are afoot to field top leaders, who will criss-cross the country, to attend public meetings and rallies organised in major towns in all states.
Meetings will be organised at all major centres, as well as in towns and villages. Pamphlets and handbills will be published.
The campaign plank will be anti-imperialism and defence of the country's sovereignty, anti-communalism, secular domestic polity and protection and improvement of common people's livelihood against attacks of big business, a senior Left leader said.
http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=455334&sid=REG
