Javali set for Satara district bank poll; Ranje faces Shinde or Gole, decision by October 21

The contest for the Javali taluka society constituency seat in the Satara District Central Co-operative Bank election is now considered almost certain. Tension over the district bank election began right from the process of collecting society proposals in the taluka, and disputes were seen in several places. For this reason, a poll on this seat is being seen as unavoidable.

It has not yet been finalised whether NCP state president Shashikant Shinde will himself contest against sitting bank director Dnyandev Ranje, or his supporter Vitthal Gole. However, there is talk in political circles that Gole will almost certainly be the candidate. On this basis, it is being said that the contest will be easy for Ranje.

The process of filing nominations for the district bank election is complete, and the last date for withdrawal of nominations is October 21. There is talk in the taluka over whether there will be a poll or whether a candidate will be elected unopposed. Meanwhile, people are recalling the days of the proposal process. The uproar in the akhada during that time still sends a chill through the people of the taluka. It was on Shashikant Shinde's own home turf that Minister Shivendrasinhraje Bhosale had dealt him a big blow. In view of these circumstances, Shinde's camp is saying that state president Shinde will not let the election be unopposed here. Whether Shinde himself or Vitthal Gole will contest will be decided by the time of withdrawal.

Of Javali's 48 voters in all, 38 have been taken on a tour since August 10. It is said that Dnyandev Ranje has taken this precaution for security. These voters, living away from their families for the past three months, have not been able to see their children's faces so far, and will have to stay away from their families until November 1.

In the election five years ago, Ranje had sent 28 voters on a tour, yet he won by only one vote, a very narrow margin. That is why this time he has been seen on alert from three months ahead and has taken 38 voters on a tour. There is talk that if Shashikant Shinde is the candidate, two to three votes could swing either way, but if Vitthal Gole is the candidate, Ranje could get more than 38 votes.

Meanwhile, at the district level, the tangle over the Mahayuti's ten seats has deepened. The BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP all want equal seats. As a result, the chances of those hoping for candidature in Javali taluka getting a ticket are growing dim. It remains to be seen whether Javali gets another candidate by the time of withdrawal.