NAGPUR: The conviction and subsequent disqualification of Saoner MLA Sunil Kedar is the proverbial chink in the armour that the BJP hopes to exploit and win the assembly constituency that has remained out of the saffron party’s grasp for quite some time.
Except for 1999, when Devrao Asole won it for the BJP, the constituency has traditionally been retained by Congress since 1962.The assembly seat is precious to the Congress, as it has been one of the oldest strongholds in Nagpur district. The BJP could not make in-roads in Saoner even during its best performance in the last two elections.
Before Kedar, Ranjeet Deshmukh had won the seat twice. Kedar contested as an independent in 1995 and 2004, and then on Congress ticket since 2009 to win it a total of five times. While the saffron party is hoping to cash in on the scam taint and Kedar’s absence, in case he remains behind bars, it remains to be seen how these developments dent the loyal voter-base in Saoner.
Congress netas feel the people centric works of the Kedar family would result in a bigger margin for the convicted MLA, if he is able to contest, or a big sympathy wave would work in favour of the candidate backed by him in the next election.
The BJP, on the other hand, is sensing a never before opportunity by playing the corruption card.
Rajendra Mulak, former minister and Nagpur district Congress president, said Saoner constituency has always been with Congress. “Social connect of Mrs Kedar (Sunil Kedar’s wife Anuja) in Saoner ensures Congress is ahead of its rivals. Saoner has given Nagpur and Congress a fighter and charismatic worker in Sunil Kedar. It has always been an important constituency for Congress party and shall remain so,” he said.
Mulak added ‘the way Kedar was convicted and disqualified as MLA’ would increase the vote count.
Former MLA Sudhakar Kohale, who is Nagpur district BJP president, feels the court verdict will turn the tides in their favour. “Not even 5,000 people from Rajiv Potdar’s community reside in Saoner, yet he secured 87,000 votes in last assembly elections against Kedar. The difference of 22,000 odd votes shall disappear after the court verdict,” he said.
Countering allegations of conspiracy against Kedar, Kohale said, “The BJP didn’t pronounced the order but the judiciary punished him after going through all the evidence over 20 years. It is certain he is guilty. The voter is king and doesn’t support corruption.”
A city Congress leader said it is true scam charges have been proved, and there are other allegations too against Kedar, but his image as a people’s leader is still strong.
Except for 1999, when Devrao Asole won it for the BJP, the constituency has traditionally been retained by Congress since 1962.The assembly seat is precious to the Congress, as it has been one of the oldest strongholds in Nagpur district. The BJP could not make in-roads in Saoner even during its best performance in the last two elections.
Before Kedar, Ranjeet Deshmukh had won the seat twice. Kedar contested as an independent in 1995 and 2004, and then on Congress ticket since 2009 to win it a total of five times. While the saffron party is hoping to cash in on the scam taint and Kedar’s absence, in case he remains behind bars, it remains to be seen how these developments dent the loyal voter-base in Saoner.
Congress netas feel the people centric works of the Kedar family would result in a bigger margin for the convicted MLA, if he is able to contest, or a big sympathy wave would work in favour of the candidate backed by him in the next election.
The BJP, on the other hand, is sensing a never before opportunity by playing the corruption card.
Rajendra Mulak, former minister and Nagpur district Congress president, said Saoner constituency has always been with Congress. “Social connect of Mrs Kedar (Sunil Kedar’s wife Anuja) in Saoner ensures Congress is ahead of its rivals. Saoner has given Nagpur and Congress a fighter and charismatic worker in Sunil Kedar. It has always been an important constituency for Congress party and shall remain so,” he said.
Mulak added ‘the way Kedar was convicted and disqualified as MLA’ would increase the vote count.
Former MLA Sudhakar Kohale, who is Nagpur district BJP president, feels the court verdict will turn the tides in their favour. “Not even 5,000 people from Rajiv Potdar’s community reside in Saoner, yet he secured 87,000 votes in last assembly elections against Kedar. The difference of 22,000 odd votes shall disappear after the court verdict,” he said.
Countering allegations of conspiracy against Kedar, Kohale said, “The BJP didn’t pronounced the order but the judiciary punished him after going through all the evidence over 20 years. It is certain he is guilty. The voter is king and doesn’t support corruption.”
A city Congress leader said it is true scam charges have been proved, and there are other allegations too against Kedar, but his image as a people’s leader is still strong.