Buldhana: Uddhav Thackeray supporters may still vote danush-baan

In Buldhana party workers and local Shiv Sena UBT activists say there is confusion among rural residents and the elderly regarding the new symbol of the divided Shiv Sena They have expressed concern that residents particularly those in the rural belt and the elderly demographic might sway towards the lsquodanushbaanrsquo bow and arrow symbol rather than their new lsquomashaalrsquo flaming torch symbolShiv Sena UBT party workers and activists say this may ultimately favour the incumbent Prataprao Shinde a Shiv Sena candidate who has secured the seat three times previouslyBuldhana situated in Vidarbha boasts of Sindkhed Raja reputed as the birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharajrsquos mother Jijabhai Bhonsale Globally renowned it also features the Lonar Crater Lake formed by a meteorite strike around 500000 years ago However the region is currently ensnared in a political crater due to a schism within the Shiv SenaShiv UBT supporters at a rally in Buldhana district PicSatej ShindeHistorically the Buldhana Lok Sabha seat has been a Congress stronghold before shifting allegiance to the undivided Shiv Sena Presently it is witnessing a fierce contest between two rival factions of Shiv Sena both striving for recognition in Buldhana presenting a challenging scenario for both sidesThe Lok Sabha constituency encompasses vast agricultural expanses in the western region of Vidarbha and is scheduled for polling in the second phase on April 26 The incumbent MP from Shiv Sena Prataprao Jadhav is facing off against Prof Narendra Khedekar from Shiv Sena UBT in what promises to be a closely contested battleBuldhana An uphill climbPrataprao Jadhav the Shiv Sena candidate endorsed by Eknath Shinde is vigorously campaigning through all corners of Buldhana However party workers and officials of Shiv Sena UBT express concerns over insufficient funds hindering their ability to conduct doortodoor outreachParty workers are concerned that there is confusion among residents over the new symbol of the divided Shiv Sena ldquoFor many the symbol of Shiv Sena is still Dhanushbaan and they have been voting for the undivided Sena for the past 15 years However there are many who are unaware of the new symbolmdashthe flaming torch They may inadvertently press the button for Dhanushbaan We are making efforts to raise awareness about thisrdquo said Raju a local Sena UBT worker from Nipane villageShailaja Thakre the Shiv Sena UBT deputy head of Shegaon zilla parishad emphasised the commitment of Sena members to Balasaheb Thackerays legacy ldquoWe are Shiv Sainiks loyal to Balasaheb Thackeray We cannot forget the promise we made to our beloved Balasaheb Before leaving this world he entrusted us Shiv Sainiks with the responsibility to take care of his son Uddhav and grandson Aaditya In keeping with that promise we will always support the family We are willing to conduct doortodoor campaigns but our activists cannot afford to fund it themselves They require transportation as well as compensation for food and water during the campaignUnfortunately the candidate lacks the necessary fundsrdquo she said adding that party workers need to demonstrate and clarify the difference between the two symbols but have been unable to do so due to financial constraintsKhedekar meanwhile dismissed the significance of the Shiv Sena Vs Shiv Sena divide asserting that people are disenchanted with the incumbent MP and even the BJP ldquoWhat Shiv Sena Vs Shiv Sena Its Fake Shiv Sena Vs Original Shiv Sena The Dhanushbaan they are parading was stolen from us and has lost its sanctity People will vote for me I have worked tirelessly on the ground Therefore I believe they will vote for me rather than Prataprao Jadhav who has not contributed anything to Buldhana and its people in the three times he has wonrdquo Khedekar remarkedPolitical compositionSince the first election in 1952 Buldhana has seen nine Congress candidates elected six Shiv Sena nominees and one each from the BPJ and the Republican Party of India RPIThe Buldhana Lok Sabha seat comprises six assembly constituencies Currently three are held by the BJP two by the ruling Shiv Sena and one by Deputy CM Ajit Pawarrsquos Nationalist Congress Party The BJP legislators represent Chikhali MLA Shweta Mahale Khamgaon MLA Akash P Fundkar and JalgaonJamod MLA Sanjay Kute The Shiv Sena holds Buldhana MLA Sanjay Gaikwad and MehkarSC MLA Sanjay Raimulkar while SindkhedRaja is represented by MLA Dr Rajendra Shingne There is no representation from the MVA or INDIA bloc