Maharashtra Election: Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raimulkar Prepared For Fourth Straight Victory In Mehkar
The constituency of Mehkar in Buldhana district, traditionally dominated by the Congress, has witnessed support for the Shiv Sena from the public over the past 30 years.
From 1995 to 2009, Prataprao Jadhav led this constituency, and since 2009, Sanjay Raimulkar has been representing Mehkar, waving the Shiv Sena flag.
Raimulkar, who has won Mehkar thrice in a row, backed Eknath Shinde during the Shiv Sena rebellion in 2022. Consequently, Shinde confirmed his name as the Shiv Sena candidate for Mehkar in the 2024 assembly elections.
Starting as an Ordinary Shiv Sainik
Sanjay Raimulkar began his political and social journey as an ordinary Shiv Sainik. He quickly built a reputation as a proactive, people-oriented Shiv Sainik. While Prataprao Jadhav was an MLA, Raimulkar focused on expanding the organization.
When Jadhav contested and won the Lok Sabha seat, the party gave Raimulkar the opportunity, which he justified by establishing the party's trust.
Raimulkar became chairman of the Mehkar Agricultural Produce Market Committee in 2008 and subsequently never looked back, securing three consecutive terms in the state assembly.
In the upcoming assembly elections, a three-way contest is anticipated in this constituency, with Sanjay Raimulkar from Shiv Sena, Siddharth Kharat from the Uddhav Thackeray faction, Rutuja Chavan from the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, and Bhaiyyasaheb Patil from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena in the fray. With the Buldhana Lok Sabha seat already in Shiv Sena's hands, Raimulkar is seen as having an advantage.
Focus on Health Service Improvements
During his three consecutive terms, Raimulkar has focused on developing healthcare infrastructure in the Mehkar and Lonar talukas. To provide modern healthcare facilities for locals, a provision of ₹45 crore has been made for a sub-district hospital in Mehkar. Additionally, around ₹9 crore has been allocated for a trauma care center, and ₹5 crore has been set aside for improving sub-center facilities.
Big Funds for Water Supply
The state government has allocated ₹74 crore to streamline water supply in Mehkar city, along with ₹38 crore under the Amrut scheme specifically for Mehkar.
Similarly, ₹171 crore has been earmarked for the water supply scheme in Lonar taluka. Through various departments, funds totaling ₹1,440 crore have been allocated for road construction in Mehkar and Lonar talukas, enhancing transportation and connectivity and boosting economic development in the constituency.
Efforts for Irrigation Projects
Raimulkar has also worked to secure funds for irrigation facilities. Through his efforts, ₹72 crore has been granted for the main canal of the Pentakli project, and ₹25 crore for repairs to the Koradi scheme's canal.
He has also secured ₹178 crore from the Ministry of Soil and Water Conservation for his constituency, which will be effectively used for Kolhapuri-style bunds and reservoirs.
Additionally, various Maharashtra State Electricity Board schemes have made ₹135 crore available for Mehkar and Lonar talukas, and several related projects are underway.
Effective Implementation of Various Schemes
The "Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin" scheme, a flagship initiative by Eknath Shinde, provides ₹1,500 per month to eligible women. Three instalments of this scheme have been distributed to beneficiaries in Mehkar, with Raimulkar ensuring its effective implementation through party networks. He has also focused on helping citizens benefit from various welfare schemes launched by the state government over the past two years.
Advantageous Position
Raimulkar's extensive experience of three consecutive wins, his extensive public reach across the constituency, the development projects implemented over the last 15 years, various state government schemes, and the fragmentation of opposition votes all seem to give him an edge in the Mehkar constituency.
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