Hingna: It’s a seasoned Bang Vs debutant Sameer Meghe

* Former minister and senior NCP leader Ramesh Bang is seeking re-election following his defeat in 2009 after three consecutive terms
* BJP has fielded debutant Sameer Meghe, son of veteran leader Datta Meghe
* Shiv Sena’s former MP Prakash Jadhao and Congress’ young face Kunda Raut are adding more colours to the contest
By Kartik Lokhande 
Hingna, previously Kalmeshwar, has always been ‘elect a candidate at least thrice’ kind of constituency of Legislative Assembly. This time, former minister and senior NCP leader Rameshchandra Bang is seeking re-election after his defeat in 2009, while BJP has fielded debutant Sameer Meghe. Shiv Sena and Congress also have fielded good contestants, making the contest for Hingna seat more interesting.
Since 1962, eleven elections have been held so far and this constituency has elected only five persons, of which three have been elected for three consecutive terms each. For first three terms since 1962, Kalmeshwar (now Hingna) constituency elected Sheshrao Wankhede of Congress. In 1978, 1980, and 1985, Kalmeshwar elected Bhagwantrao Gaikwad, who contested these three elections successfully on tickets of different parties namely All India Forward Bloc (AIFB), Congress-I, and Congress.
In 1990, Chhatrapal Kedar of Congress broke Gaikwad’s dream-run. But, in 1995, Kalmeshwar constituency saw emergence of young leadership in Rameshchandra Bang, who became the first Independent candidate to win the seat. Of course, Bang was mentored by Chhatrapal Kedar. By the next election held in 1999, Congress and NCP decided to contest independently. As per its policy of inducting new faces mostly Independent candidates who had won elections in 1995, NCP offered ticket to Bang and he too accepted it. On NCP ticket, Bang went on to win 1999 and 2004 elections. He also served as Food and Civil Supplies Minister in Congress-NCP Government.
During all these years, in BJP-Shiv Sena alliance, Kalmeshwar seat was with Shiv Sena. However, Shiv Sena could not win the seat since 1990. Since 1995, Shiv Sena fielded Ramesh Adhau for three consecutive elections. Though party’s vote-share increased over the years, it could not win the seat. As a result, in 2009, Shiv Sena ceded the seat to BJP.
After three consecutive terms, Bang suffered a defeat by only 700 votes from Vijay Ghodmare of BJP in 2009 when this constituency was renamed as Hingna. Ghodmare, a Zilla Parishad committee chief, was new to Assembly politics but got elected as he was successful in garnering support of powerful Other Backward Classes in the constituency. Another factor that led to Bang’s shocking defeat, many say, was an Independent candidate Rajesh Gautam polling 8,643 votes.
However, since then, many factors have changed. From Digdoh-Hingna area, Congress leader Sandhya Gotmare joined BJP and became Zilla Parishad (ZP) President. During her two-and-a-half year term that expired recently, she strengthened BJP network in the area through various initiatives. Veteran Congress leader Datta Meghe joined BJP recently and sought ticket for his son Sameer from this constituency. BJP also considered this and asked its incumbent MLA Vijay Ghodmare to pave way for Sameer Meghe. At present, Ghodmare and all others are actively campaigning for Sameer. Top BJP leaders including Union Minister for Surface Transport Nitin Gadkari are concentrating on Hingna. He is also getting benefit of his father Datta Meghe’s widespread public contact.
As far as Bang is concerned, since his defeat in 2009, he focussed on revitalising his network in Hingna constituency. Contesting again as NCP candidate, he has improved his organisation in various parts of the constituency. NCP chief Sharad Pawar, former Home Minister R R Patil and others have campaigned for Bang. Besides, Bang himself has taken to hectic poll campaign through door-to-door contact with voters.
There are other strong candidates also. Shiv Sena has fielded its former MP Prakash Jadhao. As Jadhao represented Ramtek Parliamentary constituency, he is familiar in all six rural Assembly segments in the district. Besides, he has got an advantage of Shiv Sena leader Krupal Tumane being Ramtek MP currently. Shiv Sena is banking upon him to register its first victory in Hingna. However, despite contesting on three consecutive occasions, Shiv Sena candidate Ramesh Adhau had not been able to move over third position in the tally of votes, and this may be a glitch. It remains to be seen if Shiv Sena can convince the voters in Hingna this time.
Congress has fielded a relatively new face in Kunda Raut. She is daughter of former ZP chief Shyamdeo Raut. She herself was an active member of ZP. Though her face is known in Hingna constituency, she is still considered an emerging leader. But, she has the potential to garner handsome votes, particular OBC votes. MNS candidate Kishor Saraykar also may earn his share of votes on pro-Marathi sentiment. This election will prove for MNS if the issue of ‘Marathi Vs non-Marathi’ has sentimental appeal in Hingna constituency. 

Published in The Hitavada CityLine on October 14, 2014