Shinde Fixes Buldhana Sainik, Fuzzy On Yavatmal

Nagpur: Buldhana MLA from Shiv Sena (Shinde) camp Sanjay Gaikwad said he will withdraw his nomination for the Lok Sabha seat now that party has declared sitting MP Pratap Jadhav as the official candidate, but there are “two issues bothering him”.
Speaking to TOI on Saturday, Gaikwad said, “I will definitely withdraw my nomination. I had filed my nomination as there were two issues bothering me.I am not going talk about that in public domain at all, it has been conveyed to higher ups.”


Though no one would say it officially, there are two contrasting theories floating as reason for Gaikwad’s nomination filing.
One is that Gaikwad was using his nomination as leverage to secure better terms within the party for his political future. And second, which is being considered more likely, is that Gaikwad was indirectly helping Jadhav. To counter any chance of ticket being given to any other candidate, Gaikwad is said to have filed his nomination to show his disapproval. Once Jadhav’s name was declared, it’s said that Gaikwad softened his stance.
TOI spoke to official candidate Jadhav who did not wish to comment on the theories, but said “all is well” within the party in Buldhana. Jadhav said, “It was Gaikwad who organized the karyakarta melawa on Friday for me. So there is no question of rivalry.” When asked about his take on why Gaikwad then filed nomination papers, Jadhav said, “Gaikwad submitted papers in the morning while my name became official later in the day.”
The second theory of both Sainiks “helping” each other out, gains a little more traction from a statement which Gaikwad gave to TOI. Gaikwad said, “The two issues which I had raised were the reasons due to which Jadhav’s candidature was not getting cleared. After I filed the nomination, things got cleared.”
When asked if it meant that the “two issues” are no longer relevant and matter is solved, Gaikwad said, “These are not things meant for publishing. I have spoken with my party leaders. I have made it clear that I will work for Sena as per directives from high command.”
While the intra-party drama in Buldhana seems to have ended, trouble is brewing for Sena (Shinde) next door in Yavatmal-Washim.
The party has not declared its candidate yet, even as April 4, the last date of nomination is coming close. Sitting MP Bhavna Gawali is keen on contesting while other ticket aspirants feel anti-incumbency may play a role.
In Vidarbha, both factions of the Shiv Sena are giving it their all in Buldhana and Yavatmal-Washim constituencies because these are their biggest bastions of the region. Ramtek is the third seat which the united Sena had won in 2019, but last week Sena (Shinde) narrowly escaped losing it to ally BJP in the seat distribution negotiations.
As of now, things seem to be more sorted for Uddhav faction with clarity on candidates and the top brass keeping their focus in the region. The party has announced candidature of Sanjay Deshmukh (Yavatmal-Washim) and Narendra Khedekar (Buldhana).
Uddhav Thackeray, along with close aide and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut, has visited the constituencies and addressed public rallies. Now his son, and Worli MLA Aaditya Thackeray, will be accompany the party candidates on nomination filing day.
Both sides know, this is a do-or-die battle for their political survival and Shinde faction is also confident of getting their poll campaign off to a good start.
Jadhav said, “After nomination last date, our leaders will be addressing rallies here. CM Eknath Shinde, deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar will hold rallies. Also, we have requested presence of UP CM Yogi Adityanath for Buldhana.”