Result day: Gawali’s b’day but Thakre too ready to party

Yavatmal: May 23 is the birthday of Yavatmal-Washim Shiv Sena candidate Bhavana Gawali who mentioned this during the entire election campaign and sought votes as her birthday gift. After counting it would be clear whether she has got it or her main rival Manikrao Thakre of Congress walks away with it.
The campaign in the constituency was lacklustre with no star campaigner, except for Uddhav Thackeray turning up for the Sena candidate.
Nagesh Gorakh, a staunch Thakre supporter, is firm on his prepoll statement that Thakre will win the election by a margin of at least 40,000 votes. Other citizens like Dinesh Gohakar, Ashok Bobade, Sunil Bhele and Shikhander Shah feel that Thakre will win the election but with a thin margin.
On the other hand, the common man in villages said they have voted for Modi, and not Bhavana Gawali, as they want a strong government in the Centre.
However, BJP leaders like Rajabhau Thakre, former MP and minister, are sceptical about the result. Miracle will happen merely due to the Modi wave, they said.
People like Govind Chavan want a change as “Gawali has proved to be a non-performer throughout her two terms”.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and former minister Manoharrao Naik is confident of Thakre’s victory but former MLC Sandeep Bajoria said the former MPCC president has failed to consolidate NCP votes.
Former vice-president of zilla parishad (ZP) Prakash Mankar and his group in NCP openly campaigned for Gawali in Roonza ZP circle. However, Ralegaon seems to favour Thakre due to support of Kiran Kumre, former ZP president Prafulla Mankar and others.
Though Gawali is not in Yavatmal, her supporters have ordered for banners, posters and bouquets to greet their leader for her probable victory and also her birthday.