Cong, NCP may suffer setback in Buldhana

BULDHANA: In spite of a multi-cornered fight, several candidates in west Vidarbha district of Buldhana have already started preparations for likely victories. They are believed to have booked the traditional Sandal while some have gone for DJs for their victory processions.
Voters across all seven constituencies are traditionally known to favour candidate from their own caste and sub-castes, but with both alliances off and emergence of regional parties like BRP-BMS, nothing is predictable any more.Analysts, however, are projecting big gains for BJP and Sena and losses to Congress and NCP, primarily due to anti-incumbency and to prime minister Modi who is believed to have changed equations with his Khamgaon visit. The impressive voting percentage has only added to the anxiety.
Supporters have ordered flowers and sweets for their candidates a day before counting. Tight security has been in place where EVM machines are kept. Activists of Shiv Sena in Sindkhed Raja have already burst fire crackers on Saturday anticipating win for there candidate Shashikant Khedekar.
The biggest fight among all is at Khamgaon, between three-time MLA Dilipkumar Sananda and senior BJP leader Pandurang Fundkar’s son Akash, both sides have already assumed their victories. While former has booked a DJ for his victory procession, the latter has engaged a famous band from Akot, according to their supporters. Khamgaon also witnessed highest polling percentage of 73.91% among all constituencies while Mehkar was lowest at 59.80%. In the fight between the two Ashok Sonawane of BRP-BMS might get lucky if his votes remain intact.
Senior Fundkar predicted five seats for BJP in Buldhana on Modi wave that included Khamgaon. However, sitting Congress MLA from Chikhli, Rahul Bondre, denied any such wave stating that Congress would have upper hand in Buldhana based on its previous works. He is locked in a bitter fight with NCP’s Dhrupadrao Sawale, BJP’s Sureshappa Khabutare and Sena’s Pratapsingh Rajput.
Khedekar would face a tough challenge from former MLA Rekhatai Khedkar and others in Sindkhed Raja, while Malkapur and Jalgaon Jamod are believed to be cakewalk for BJP where Chainsukh Sancheti and Sanjay Kute respectively, are expected to retain their seats in the absence of any major competition. In Mehkar, sitting Sena MLA Sanjay Raimulkar is battling Prashant Ghumre of Congress and Narhari Gavai of RPI Athawale group.