Mukhyamantri Dharma Jagaran Yatra: Shiv Sena (BT) plan to reach out to voters

Pune: It is said that the BJP and the Shiv Sena (BT) are trying to corner the NCP (AP) in the Maha Yuti. Pressure is reportedly mounting on Ajit Pawar to accept the least number of seats. State BJP leaders have been expressing their views against Ajit Pawar’s presence in the alliance. The styles of functioning of CM Eknath Shinde and DyCM Ajit Pawar are different. The latter seems to have been sidelined in the Maha Yuti.

However, the NCP (AP) is reaching out to the people through their Jan Sanman Yatra. It is getting good response. Though Ajit Pawar is apparently lagging behind in seat-sharing, he is ahead of CM Shinde in campaigning, at least for now, said political analysts.

On the other hand, the BJP is reaching out to the people by whipping up religious issues. BJP leader Nitesh Rane has been making provocative speeches. The NCP (AP) is holding a dialogue with voters through its Jan Sanman Yatra. The NCP (SP) is conducting the Shiv Swarajya Yatra.

In this backdrop, Eknath Shinde and his son Shrikant have planned to conduct the Dharma Jagaran Yatra ahead of the State Assembly polls. Office-bearers of Shiv Sena (BT) Adhyatmik Sena will visit hamlets and villages and campaign.

The Yatra will begin from the Ambabai Mandir in Kolhapur. An attempt will be made to reach out to the masses through folk arts such as Gondhal, Vasudev, etc. Padyatras will be held, in association with Hindutva outfits. The party wants to cash in on the Hindutva plank and traditional folk arts. Thus, they could be hijacking the BJP’s agenda, said some observers.

While the BJP and Shiv Sena (BT) are using a ‘use and throw’ policy against Ajit Pawar, Eknath Shinde could be putting the BJP in trouble through his Hindutva strategy, they said.

Meanwhile, Ajit Pawar, during his Jan Sanman Yatra in Solapur, strongly indicated that the poll code may come into effect within two weeks.