Ajit Ujjainkar for BeyondHeadlines
White Kurta, an Indian attire or bright white shirt as an upper wear and bright white pant are a typical attire of a politician in Maharashtra. This typical look appears to have changed, at least this time. In the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2014 season, while roaming for stories I came across Shivajirau Madhavrao Mankar, an influential personality who is more into social activities than his business for over two decades. I found him a bit different than any other politician in Maharashtra.
This assembly elections, Shivajirau is contesting for the first time as a BJP candidate from Yeola constituency. Shivajirau has a huge fan following in Yeola, a Taluka of Nasik district of Maharashtra state. He is famous there and often referred to as ‘Maharaja’ and ‘Raje’ out of respect.
During his door to door campaign in his constituency, Shivajirau was spotted in full sleeved color denim shirt and jeans. He has a good personality, and receives respect and loves from his followers as any other film star/model does. A resident of Ambegaon is said to have kept Shivajirau’s photograph with him since last 20 years.
In fact, Shivajirau rose to fame in the area for his hard work and support for the farmers in Yeola. Even MLAs from this region may not have received such respect from farmers. In Yeola, farming is of substantial importance and there’s still water scarcity. To bring in a difference, it is important to stand on a platform wherein setting the system becomes easier.
Being a farmer himself and standing true to the beliefs and ethics set by his father Late Mr. Madhavrao Mankar, Shivajirau has been an inspiration to many in his region through his relentless work for the benefit of the farmers. For the past three decades, Shivajirau worked in voicing his opinions and protesting against the injustice against farmers whilst understanding the situations and obstacles that they go through.
He has been brought into politics by his fans to have a ‘Good Governance’ in their area. Shivajirau has been working to resolve many problems of his constituency since last 30 years. He is been leading the famers from the front to get them a better price for sugarcane crop in their region.
Under his supervisor, onion prices have been effectively sorted out in Nasik, Kopargaon and Yeola Taluka. He also led the protest by the farmers against the exploitation by the Krishi Utpanna Bazar Samiti. He helped in implementing beneficiary government schemes.
While regularizing important concerns of electricity supply in that area, he created platforms for farmers and voiced out the growing concern of the scarcity of water in summers and worked towards bringing relief Led by the front and helped bring about the Godavari and Palkhed left canal to the deserving famers in the vicinity.
In addition, he facilitated the reservation of 10 % for the farmers that flows through the Nandurmadhyameshwar Canal. Also notable is the fact that rehabilitation of the road connecting Yeola – Lasalgaon took place after the protests under his leadership thus creating better connectivity and trade options for people.
He played crucial role in development of the road from Bharvas Phata to the Satmora village. Almost 500 villages around Yeola Lasalgaon have been benefited by his leadership. With all these things to his credit, Shivajirau is aiming for assembly. Hence, a different master stroke is expected in Maharashtra politics this time. Let’s wait and watch.
