BJP survives MNS wave

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has not only succeeded in retaining its prestigious seat but has also won with whopping majority in ward 35. The recent wave of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has swept away significant amount of votes elsewhere in Karvenagar and Kothrud.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) corporator, Prof Medha Kulkarni and Shiv Sena candidate Prashant Badhe won with a lead of almost 5,000 votes and 800 votes respectively. The Shiv Sena candidate won with marginal votes due to the growing charisma of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) that swept five seats off the BJP-Shivsena-Republic Party of India (RPI) alliance. The seat for BJP became very prestigious due to Kulkarni's recent selection as a president of BJP women wing.  
Ward Number 35 witnessed 49.7 per cent voting that has around 32,000 voters. Kulkarni received 8,034 votes while her next opponent Purva Kelkar of Pune Janhit Aghadi got 2,503 votes. Badhe, who also won from the same ward, hails from Shivajinagar locality where he was corporator during 2002-2997. MNS candidate Mandar Balkavade amassed 4,710 and lost to him by 871 votes.
Her party workers after rejoicing over her win informed that her relentless work has brought success to her.
Party worker Poonam Karkhanis said, "She won by highest margin of 5,531 votes in the city."
Senior citizen Durgadas Joshi said, "Her peculiarity of linking and nurturing personal relationship on familial level is appealing. On every stage of any work, she takes advice from the experts in the field and also the residents." Her brother-in-law, Pravin, said, "Right from the beginning, all of us were confident about her success in the election." Her husband was very happy over the success and at the same time was proud over the victory by whopping margin. He thanked party workers of the alliance, saying, "She has been very active and dynamic in her work that brought laurels to her. Involving the residents in developmental works is another quality that keeps her bridged with the citizens."
Young party worker Nikhil Atre said, "The residents get top priority on her list.
Be it a footpath building, underground work of electrification in the ward or any other developmental work, she discusses the issue with the residents before taking the decisions."  
Laxman Badhe, father of Prashant Badhe, said, "I have been a party worker since foundation of Shiv Sena in 1966.  Soon, we launched agitations against scarcity of many domestic resources like kerosene, sugar and other things. This is my third son who has worked for Shiv Sena."
Badhe said, "I have been working for the party for past 26 years. This is my second term as the area is new to me. Medhatai's guidance will be helpful and we will work in tandem for the residents here. We have already designed a plan to work on the issues here. I attribute my success that chose me against the tide that rolled out for MNS. It's great job of the party workers that I have been chosen, though by small margin."
Former corporator Ankush Tidke, who was contesting election from Ramkrishna Paramhans Nagar, lost to a Congress candidate.
Ujawal Keskar, who launched Pune Janhit Aghadi, lost all its six candidates in Kothrud. Keskar said, "It seems that the people expect more from us. There was shortfall in reaching out to people."
Shankar Kemse, who won on NCP ticket from Vedbhavan constituency, said, "My victory is entirely goes to NCP leader Sharad Pawar, Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar and MP Supriya Sule." "I owe my success to the party workers who worked hard. The recent inclusions of panel number 35 including Tathwade Garden, Pratidnya Mangal Karyalaya, Navshyadri Society face many problems like dug up footpaths, roads, water supply with less pressure and many other problems need priority," informed Kulkarni.
The dynamic corporator wants to install biogas plant to solve existing garbage problems, sports complex and many other developmental works.
"We will form residents' forums, which will act as pressure groups to deal with problems," said Kulkarni.

--SANJEEVANI DIDMISHE