Interesting fights in Chanda, Ballarpur, Rajura, Chimur

Chandrapur: The BJP, which is eyeing fifth consecutive victory in Chandrapur city, is facing an uphill task following rebellion by party's district secretary Kishor Jorgewar, who is now fighting as Shiv Sena candidate. NCP's move to field Congress rebel Ashok Nagapure has made the fight triangular.
MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar had won the seat thrice before handing over the baton to Nana Shamkule in 2009 after the constituency was reserved for SC candidates.Jorgewar, who comes from Burud community, was the front-runner for the BJP ticket but the party favoured Shamkule, a close aide of union minister Nitin Gadkari.
Now, a handful of BJP leaders have openly joined Jorgewar while many others are secretly helping him. The split in saffron votes is likely to come as shot in the arm for NCP's Nagapure. Apart from strong NCP leadership in Chandrapur city, party's good hold in Ghugus town is an added advantage for Nagapure. Congress has fielded a novice Mahesh Mendhe, who comes from Wardha district. Unhappy with this move, its leaders too are internally supporting Nagapure.
In Ballarpur constituency, there is a straight fight between BJP stalwart Sudhir Mungantiwar, who is seeking second consecutive term in the constituency, and Congress candidate Ghanshyam Mulchandani, a former municipal council chief of Ballarpur.
Mungantiwar has brought several development projects to the constituency. His strong public contact and tendency to help others has earned him a title of 'Vikas Purush' (man of development). Labour organization Shramik Elgar has declared support to Mungantiwar, who is strong advocate of liquor ban in Chandrapur district.
However, Sena and MNS candidates are certainly going to eat into saffron votes this time while a weak NCP candidate will help Congress in taking on the BJP. Congress activists are enthused with party's decision to field Mulchandani whose wife is civic chief in Ballarpur municipal council. Moreover, former MP Naresh Pugliya is leading Congress campaign in the constituency as Mulchandani is his ardent supporter. Pugliya and his son Rahul have a strong hold in the constituency.
There is triangular fight between Congress, Swatantra Bharat Paksh (SBP) and NCP candidates in Rajura constituency. Sitting Congress MLA Subhash Dhote who is vying for a second term is facing challenge from traditional rival Prabhakar Dive of Shetkari Sanghatna. Former Congress MLA Sudarshan Nimkar, who is contesting as NCP candidate, is also a major contender.
Caste-based politics is going to play vital role in the constituency. Both Dhote and Nimkar are from Kunbi community, so division of votes is likely. Dive is a Dalit and his party SBP, which is political arm of Shetkari Sanghatna, has strong support of farmers. Dive is likely to eat into sizeable Dalit votes of Congress.
In Chimur constituency, there is straight fight between Congress and BJP candidates. Congress has fielded two-time MLA Avinash Warjurkar, after its sitting MLA Vijay Wadettiwar opted to fight from adjacent Brahmapuri constituency. Though Warjurkar has a good base in Chimur, his absence from political scenario for almost a decade will be a challenge.
On the other hand, BJP has fielded a young candidate Bunty alias Kirtikumar Bhangadiya, who is son of Chimur based MLC Mitesh Bhangadiya. Bunty Bhangadiya has strong public contact in the constituency. He has been fighting for the problems of youths, farmers and downtrodden through his NGO Yuvashakti Sanghatna for the last five years.
CONSTITUENCY ANALYSIS
Chandrapur
Winner in 2009: Nana Shamkule (BJP). Runner-up: Bita Ramteke (Congress)
Voting%: 49.99
Key contestants: Nana Shamkule (BJP), Ashok Nagapure (NCP), Kishor Jorgewar (Shiv Sena) and Mahesh Mendhe (Cong)
No. of voters: 3.55 lakh
Key issues: Construction of Babupeth railway overbridge, bringing Rs225 crore for development of Chandrapur city, inclusion of New Chandrapur township in smart city project, construction of 5km long wall along Irai river, controlling pollution
Ballarpur
Winner in 2009: Sudhir Mungantiwar (BJP). Runner-up: Rahul Puglia (Congress)
Voting%: 61.08
Key contestants: Sudhir Mungantiwar (BJP), Ghanshyam Mulchandani (Cong), Wamanrao Zade (NCP), Keshav Katre (Shiv Sena), Harshal Kumar Chiplunkar (MNS)
No. of voters: 3.07 lakh
Key issues: Controlling pollution, clearance to projects held up by forest laws, development of Pombhurna tehsil, man-animal conflict Kothari, Talodhi and Pombhurna forests, drinking water crises
* Rajura
Winner in 2009: Subhash Dhote (Cong). Runner-up: Sanjay Dhote (SBP)
Voting%: 67.33
Key contestants: Subhash Dhote (Cong), Prabhakar Dive (SBP), Sudarshan Nimkar (NCP) and Sanjay Dhote (BJP)
No. of voters: 2.96 lakh
Key issues: Lack of irrigation facility, heavy load shedding, good MSP for cotton and soyabean, development of Korpana, Jiwti and Gondpipri tehsils, issues of people affected by industrial and mining projects.
* Chimur
Winner in 2009: Vijay Wadettiwar (Cong), Runner-up: Vasant Warjurkar (BJP)
Voting%: 71.59
No. of voters: 2.62 lakh
Key contestants: Kirtikumar Bhangadiya (BJP), Avinash Warjurkar (Cong), Gajanan Butke (Shiv Sena), Narendra Kumar Dadmal (BSP), Govindrao Bhendarkar (NCP)
Key issues: Awarding district status to Chimur, demand for Bharat Ratna to Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj, railway station in Chimur, four-lane road on Bhisi-Chimur-Warora-Yavatmal route, good price for agricultural produce