Lok Sabha polls 2024: Onion issue at heart of this battle, says Rajabhau Waje

Rajabhau Waje 59 who won the candidature by defeating many veterans is a loyal Shiv Sainik and is a former MLA of Sinnar Assembly constituency In 2014 he was elected from Sinnar on a Shiv Sena ticket Waje also has a great political legacy His grandfather Shankar Balaji Waje was the first MLA of Sinnar after the formation of Maharashtra stateHis grandmother Rukminibai Waje was elected as the first woman MLA of Sinnar Assembly constituency in 1967 His father Prakash also contested the 2009 Maharashtra Legislative Assembly election from Sinnar Moving into the deeper interiors of Nashik midday caught up with him at the Madsangavi village temple amid villagersRajabhau Waje campaigning in Odha village PicAshish RajeExcerpts from the interviewhellipHow do you look at these elections with the changed political situationI will only say that democracy is in danger and we need to save it I dont have time to talk much Should I talk to you or my peopleWhat are the key issues that you are pitching forThe onion issue is at the heart and mind of the farmers here They have been suffering due to the onion export ban and flipflop decisions of the government The government opened up the exports of onion in Gujarat and the farmers there benefited but not in Maharashtra immediately which was an injustice for farmers here Is the PM only for GujaratWhat besides onionsApart from the mess of the onion issue the rates of soya bean and tomato have been unstable The poor farmer is at a loss Ask anyone here if they know the name of our agriculture minister after Sharad Pawar That is the level of disconnectWhat about jobs and loss of business There have been issues on that front tooThe government has changed about 29 labour laws and businesses are shutting down The government entered into a conspiracy to kill BSNL to promote private players This has led to joblessness for many in our district and villages Smaller companies also shut down and overall the condition is very bad The government in power is responsible for all thisThe government has been offering subsidieshellipYes Farmers get Rs 6000 But should the farmers be happy because of that There is a GST on all farming products Farmers have been suffering because of that This government has to goWhat do you say about the changed political equations in the state and the country overallDemocracy is in danger moving towards Hitlershahi and if we elect the same government this time there will be no elections after the next five years Those in power have finished political families political houses Now the situation is such that there are so many political factions parties and symbols that no one is able to understand anything There is no thought of the people All I will say is that we need Bharat sarkar not Modi sarkarSWOT AnalysisStrengthsIs from a politically influential family has a good hold of farmersrsquo issues and has a good network among themWeaknessesThough from an influential political family has a low political standing and is a bit illequipped to handle issues from national perspectiveOpportunitiesKnowing the pulse of farming issues can cash in on the rural belts of Nashik district to establish an immediate connect with farmers and farm issuesThreatsThe rival political candidate Hemant Godse is a twotime sitting MP who has won over the powerful Bhujbal family in the past two elections This time the Bhujbal family is supporting Godse as team Mahayuti