Uran (Maharashtra), November 17 (IANS). Uran Assembly constituency has emerged as an interesting electoral battle in the Maharashtra Assembly elections. This time a friendly fight is being seen here between Shetkari Kamgar Paksha (Shekap) and Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Shekap’s candidate Pritam Mhatre has presented his candidature on this seat, while the ongoing dispute between Shiv Sena and Shekap within the Maha Vikas Aghadi has further complicated the electoral equation.
Shakeup candidate Pritam Mhatre had a special conversation with IANS on Saturday regarding this entire matter. He said that Shekap had a claim on this seat and the party had proposed its candidature here under seat sharing. In the year 2009, Vivekananda Patil of Shekap had become MLA from this constituency, but this time Shiv Sena (UBT) made Manohar Bhoir its candidate from this seat.
He clarified that Shekap had met Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray, but Uddhav Thackeray was not ready to listen regarding this seat. After this the party decided to field its candidate.
Shekaap Party is definitely a part of Maha Vikas Aghadi, but Pritam Mhatre said that he is contesting against BJP candidate Mahesh Baldi in this election. He says that even while contesting elections against Maha Vikas Aghadi, Shekap Party has always worked on regional issues and this is their main focus. He said, “We are part of Maha Vikas Aghadi and under this alliance, our party has done public interest work many times. But, this time in Uran our fight is with BJP.”
Pritam Mhatre said that unemployment is a big problem in the Uran area and he will work to remove it. Navi Mumbai Airport is being built in the area and it will be my endeavor to provide employment to the local people and sons of the land. On the lines of the European civilization of walk-to-work, I will give the people of Uran the opportunity to reach their offices on foot. He said that if I become MLA, I promise to provide employment to one thousand people in the next 100 days. Giving an example, he said that recently he has provided jobs to 44 people at Mumbai Airport and the target is to increase this number in the coming time. He said that even though he does not have any government post yet, he has helped many people in getting jobs.
Regarding his candidature, he said that there was huge pressure on him from party workers, because his father J.M. Mhatre has done many social works in Uran area. He said that the people of the area were in favor of his candidature.
Pritam Mhatre said, “I am going from village to village in the entire assembly constituency and meeting people. The young generation is now joining us and I am confident that they will play an important role in my victory in the elections.”
Pritam Mhatre also raised questions on the existing development works in the area. He said that many villages in the area lack basic facilities. The condition of roads, water and electricity in tribal areas is very bad. Current MLA Mahesh Baldi made some big promises, but no concrete work was actually done. Political games are being played in Karnala and other development projects. An amount of Rs 85 lakh was sanctioned for the road in Karnala, but till date the work has not been completed. All this is just to take credit, but in reality the needs of the people are being ignored.
This time there is a tough fight on Uran assembly seat between sitting BJP MLA Mahesh Baldi, Shekap’s Pritam Mhatre and Maha Vikas Aghadi candidates.
–IANS
PSK/AKJ
