PM Modi to start Maharashtra campaign from Wardha

Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has again chosen Wardha to kickstart his campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. He will address a public rally at Wardha on March 28.

In 2014 too, Mr Modi, while campaigning as a prime ministerial candidate, had started his campaign from Wardha. It proved to be a lucky launch, as the BJP romped home with a thumping majority five years ago.

This time too, he has chosen the Vidarbha city for his opening rally, which will be held at Swavalambi Maidan at 11 am on March 28. Following this, he is expected to visit Akola and Nandurbar. However, it is not known yet whether Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will accompany him at the Wardha rally.

According to party sources, the BJP has decided to re-nominate sitting MP Ramdas Tadas from the Wardha constituency, whereas Congress has announced the name of state women’s chief Charulata Tokas, who is the daughter of senior party leader, late Prabha Rao.

Vidarbha is considered as the stronghold of the BJP. In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP-Shiv Sena combine had swept Vidarbha by winning all 10 seats in the region. The BJP won six seats, while Sena emerged victorious in four constituencies.

However, the upcoming polls are expected to be an acid test for the BJP-Sena alliance as the Vidarbha region has been affected by major factors like drought and farmers’ suicides. The failure of the BJP to create the separate state of Vidarbha is also likely to be a major factor in the polls.

The first joint rally of the BJP-Sena in the state will be held at Kolhapur on Sunday, March 24, which will be attended by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis as well as Mr Thackeray.