This story is from October 8, 2014

It’s fight of Atram chacha-bhatija in Aheri

The fight is largely for political existence between NCP’s three-time minister Dharmarao Baba Atram and last time’s giant killer Deepak Atram, who is now contesting to retain his seat as an independent.
It’s fight of Atram chacha-bhatija in Aheri
Gadchiroli: The Atrams are set to lock horns in the Aheri constituency of south Gadchiroli, also considered a Naxal stronghold, when the election takes place on October 15.
The fight is largely for political existence between NCP’s three-time minister Dharmarao Baba Atram and last time’s giant killer Deepak Atram, who is now contesting to retain his seat as an independent.
Dharmarao Baba’s another challenge is none but his nephew Raje Ambarishrao Maharaj, a political rookie in his mid-twenties, contesting on a BJP ticket.
Apart from personal charm, it is the royal respect the young Maharaj of Aheri draws from the so-called tribal belt, which is likely to be the key to his success against his mighty uncle who had begun his political career as a young campaigner when Ambarish’s grandfather Raje Vishweswar Rao and father Satyvanrao contested and won in the 70s.
Dharmarao Baba probably faces the real fight from Deepak who had stunned him in 2009 by 25,197 votes. In the past, Dharmarao has lost two of the five elections he had fought, only to emerge stronger.
“I am ahead in all five talukas. Voters are disillusioned by the change that they wanted after electing Deepak,” said Dharmarao Baba. He said that development and addressing the issues of unemployment would be the main objectives.
Deepak, a former zilla parishad member, argued against Dharmarao’s opinion about his chances. “Except in Bhamragarh, we are evenly placed in the remaining four talukas. Anyone can approach me and am accessible to all, unlike the royal family,” he said. Deepak wants to concentrate on new developmental projects and employment generation.

Much like father, Dharmarao Baba’s daughter Bhagyashree too is contesting on NCP ticket from Gadchiroli constituency where a section of political experts feels that the fight would be between her and BJP’s Dr Deorao Holi, a newcomer in politics. Local experts feel that Congress’s step to replace seating MLA Dr Namdeo Usendi, who lost the last parliamentary election, to bring in Sironcha’s Saguna Usendi would backfire. BJP’s vote share with Shiv Sena’s Kesari Usendi may just make NCP’s Bhagyashree luckier. Bhagyashree has worked for three years in public as zilla parishad president.
CONSTITUENCY ANALYSIS
AHERI (RESERVED ST)
WINNER IN 2009: Deepak Atram (Independent). RUNNER-UP: Dharmarao Baba Atram (NCP)
VOTING %: 66.65
KEY CONTESTANTS: Dharmarao Baba Atram (NCP), Mukteshwar Gawde Congress), Raje Ambarishrao Maharaj (BJP), Deepak Atram (Independent)
NUMBER OF VOTERS: 1.27 lakh
5 KEY ISSUES: Poor infrastructure development due to government’s failure to tackle Naxalism | Unable to address unemployment issue | Failure of projects like Surjagarh mining | Several missing links in roads and bridge projects | Absence of railway links with neighbouring Telangana and Andhra Pradesh
GADCHIROLI (RESERVED ST)
WINNER IN 2009: Dr Namdeo Usendi (Congress). Runner-up: Ashok Nete (BJP)
VOTING %: 65.28%
KEY CONTESTANTS: Saguna Talandi (Congress), Bhagyashree Atram (NCP), Dr Deorao Holi (BJP) Keshri Patil Usendi (Shiv Sena)
NUMBER OF VOTERS: 1.55 lakh
5 KEY ISSUES: Failure of MIDC and industrial development. Failure of railway project. Strong OBC resentment against ruling party for reducing of reservation. Disappointment of OBC community for enforcing of PESA Act. Failure of the government to generate employment scheme and other facility.
ARMORI (RESERVED ST)
WINNER IN 2009: Anandrao Gedam (Congress) RUNNER-UP: Bajrangsingh Chandel (IND)
VOTING %: 70.55
KEY CONTESTANTS: Anandrao Gedam (Congress), Krishnarao Gajbe (BJP), Ramkrishna Madavi (Shiv Sena), Narayan Wati (NCP)
NO. OF VOTERS: 1.45 lakh
5 KEY ISSUES: Strong OBC resentment against parties particularly Congress and NCP for reducing their reservation. Disappointment of OBC community for enforcing PESA Act. Pending proposal of railway project. Poor infrastructure development. Lack of irrigation facility
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