NCP (SP)’s Dhairyasheel Mohite Patil accuses BJP rival of taking credit for predecessor’s work
NCP (SP) candidate Dhairyasheel Mohite Patil at his residence at Akluj village in Solapur district’s Malshiras taluka on April 26. Pic/Anurag Ahire
As the battle between NCP (SP) candidate Dhairyasheel Mohite Patil and the sitting BJP MP Ranjitsinh Naik Nimbalkar heats up, this reporter interacted with the former at his newly constructed Maratha-style mansion in Malshiras, which is surrounded by farms on all sides.
People were waiting to meet the former BJP leader whom they address as Dhairyasheel Bhaiya. In a brief interview with mid-day, Mohite Patil accused Nimbalkar of doing nothing for the constituency in the past five years and said his priorities are solving water and irrigation-related issues and creating employment opportunities for youngsters so that they don't have to migrate to cities for jobs. Excerpts:
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What are the key issues in your constituency and what is your vision?
One of the most crucial issues is that of irrigation and shortage of water. Portions of Karmala, Madha, Sangola, 36 villages in Malshiras, Man taluka and part of Phaltan taluka are dry areas. Many villages and farmers in the Madha Lok Sabha constituency need water, so solving this issue will be my priority. Many young people from my constituency who are less educated have to go to metro cities like Pune, Mumbai and Bangalore for jobs and I want to do something for them to prevent this from happening.
How do you look at the work done by the Mahayuti candidate so far?
The sitting BJP MP used to roam about Madha along with a few people from his party and MLAs but he was not available for the people of the constituency. He would never meet the people or even visit them in times of happiness or sorrow. The people are not happy as he has not fulfilled his promises. In villages, people tell us that the sitting MP has been missing for five years. Sometimes, it is difficult to reach every village but he should have at least met constituents at the taluka level. However, he even failed to do that. He claims that he is among the top 10 MPs, but on the ground, the facts tell a different story. He portrays the works done by the previous MP as his own. The palkhi routes to Pandharpur from Madha constituency were sanctioned after Vijaysinh Mohite Patil Saheb, who had experience as PDW minister, wrote letters to [Minister for Road Transport and Highways] Nitin Gadkari Saheb. Even the railway line was sanctioned due to the constant follow-ups by Vijaysinh Mohite Patll Saheb when he was in the Opposition. He had a cordial relationship with big leaders in the BJP.
Is the Maratha and Dhangar reservation issue significant in this constituency?
Maratha and Dhangar voters, including the youngsters from both communities, have complete faith in the Mohite Patil family and me. They know that I will work for the cause of both communities with full support and dedication. We have been with Marathas and Dhangars during protests and even taken cases on ourselves for the cause. I am confident that in this election, both communities will stand behind me.
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