Bawankule confident of big win for Mahayuti's Sudhakar Kohle in Nagpur Graduates' seat

Sudhakar Kohle, the official Mahayuti candidate for the Nagpur Graduates' constituency, has filed his nomination. Revenue Minister and Nagpur and Amravati district guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule expressed confidence that Kohle would win by a big margin. According to him, the seat could not be won in the last election, but this time all Mahayuti constituents, office-bearers and workers are working together.

Speaking to the media at Nagpur airport, Bawankule addressed the graduates' seat election, drought, water scarcity, the agitation by tribal students, seat-sharing within the Mahayuti and several other issues.

Asked about the displeasure of former BJP MLA Anil Sole over the candidature, Bawankule said the resentment could be short-lived. He said Sole would certainly be spoken to and the resentment removed. Bawankule expressed confidence that Sole would withdraw his nomination.

On the Amravati Legislative Council seat, he said the Mahayuti meeting had discussed it and the view was put forward that Shiv Sena should contest it. Bawankule made clear that the final decision and official announcement would be made jointly by state BJP president Ravindra Chavan and the presidents of the Mahayuti parties concerned.

Bawankule said the drought situation in the state is very serious. Soybean and cotton have been badly hit and maize has also been affected. He said even taking a rabi crop may be difficult, and fodder and drinking water problems could follow.

According to Bawankule, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has begun considering help for farmers. Efforts will be made to get crop insurance and assistance from the NDRF and SDRF to farmers.

Bawankule said planning is under way to prevent a fodder shortage. Where moisture is available, fodder cultivation is being promoted under the Mata Jijau Mahila Sakshamikaran Yojana, and fodder development works have also been taken up. He added that there is a plan to produce fodder using Vidarbha's large forest areas. A meeting of Forest Department officials has been held on this, and efforts are on to secure the necessary funds.

On eating with farmers, Bawankule said it was not a pre-planned programme. The farmers had brought lunch boxes and warmly asked him to eat during the meeting. He then ate jhunka-bhakar and thecha with them. Bawankule said that despite the drought distress, the farmer, though anguished, has not given up his values and tradition of hospitality.

On the probe into the rice scam, Bawankule said action would be taken as per rules if anyone is found guilty. A further decision will be taken after the inquiry report comes in. He said that if serious findings emerge, criminal cases may also be registered.

Bawankule expressed anger over the trolling of a woman editor. He said Maharashtra's culture and values must be preserved and such behaviour towards a woman editor is not Maharashtra's tradition. He said police should trace those who trolled and act against them. Assaulting or trolling journalists is not right, he said, and police should take a strict stand in the matter.

On the agitation by tribal students, Bawankule said everyone has the right to protest, but protests should be democratic. Those protesting should take care that government property or society is not harmed. He said that even if a protest is aggressive, vandalism is not acceptable.

On the apprehension of water scarcity, Bawankule said the government has begun planning. An SOP is being drawn up city by city after assessing water availability and need. He made clear that drinking water will get first priority in water use.

On seat-sharing in the Mahayuti, Bawankule said positive talks are under way. Sometimes one party gains an edge and sometimes another, but decisions in the Mahayuti are made through dialogue. According to him, the initial thinking is on the "sitting-getting" principle, under which the party holding a seat contests it, with the remaining seats to be decided by mutual understanding.

Bawankule said some people have filed nominations but the situation could change by the last day for withdrawal. Where there has been a revolt, efforts will be made to talk to the candidates concerned and persuade them to withdraw.

On the repair of the Mumbai airport runway, Bawankule said that if there is a problem with the runway or a major problem is feared, repair is necessary. He said repairs needed for safety should get priority and there is no need for blame games over it.