Muttemwar and Wasnik file papers

• Both sitting MPs from Nagpur and Ramtek confident about their victory 
• MPCC Chief, other senior Congress-NCP leaders and thousands of workers were present

By Dheeraj Fartode

Seven-time Congress MP Vilas Muttemwar and former Union minister Mukul

Wasnik on Friday filed their nomination papers for Nagpur and Ramtek Lok Sabha (LS) constituency amid huge fanfare.

Flanked by thousands of Congress workers and amid slogan shouting, Muttemwar and Wasnik submitted their nomination papers before the Returning officers at Collectorate. Both Muttemwar and Wasnik paid floral tributes to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar at Samvidhan square and reached the District Collectorate in a huge procession.

MPCC President Manikrao Thakre, Health Minister Suresh Shetty, Minister of State for Finance Rajendra Mulak, Saoner MLA Sunil Kedar, PRP President Jogendra Kawade, BEM president Adv Sulekha Kumbhare, Rajya Sabha MP Avinash Pande and Hussain Dalwai, former MP Balkrishna Wasnik, AICC secretary Swaraj Jeevan, former ministers Satish Chaturvedi, Vinod Gudadhe Patil, Ramesh Bang, Haribhau Naik, MLA Dinanath Padole, Dilip Sananda, former legislators Ashosk Dhawad, Krushnarao Pandav, Shaukat Quereshi, Yadavrao Deogade, Jaiprakash Gupta, City Congress president Vikas Thakre, NCP city president Ajay Patil, Teli Mahasabha president Baburao Wanjari, Bandopant Tembhurne, Dilip Pankule, Atul Kotecha, Kamlesh Samarth, Dr Gajraj Hatewar, Vitthalrao Kombade, Raju Vyas, Tufail Ashar, Raja Dronkar, Mahila Congress city president Abha Pande, Nagpur District Rural Congress President Sunita 

Appearing confident to retain his seat, Muttemwar said, there is no challenge from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). “We are confident of winning as UPA government has done fantastic work for common man in last two terms. I have contested LS polls nine times and national leader of BJP Nitin Gadkari is contesting first time. So, its challenge for Gadkari,” he said. Congress, which has glorious history of 128 yers, has done everything for farmers of Vidarbha, he added

Muttemwar took pot-shots at BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and claimed that he was ignorant about Vidarbha and its history. The Congress party was always with Vidarbha’s people and has tried to solve problems of Vidrbha. “We are going to people with an agenda to make India strong and undertake inclusive growth,” he said.

Firing salvo at Modi, Congress leader Wasnik said “BJP people are wearing goggles of ‘Modi’ hence, they are dreaming ‘Modi’ wave in country. However, Indians have come to conclusion that there is no so-called ‘Modi’ wave in India. Modi is propagating Gujarat’s development in rallies. However, there is no contribution of Modi to this development. It was only due to efforts and hard work of Gujarat’s people, he said. Praising UPA government, Wasnik said, the government has maintained growth momentum despite world-wide recession. The Congress led governemnt has launched and implemented many pro-people schemes and we are conveying people about the good deeds, he said. 

Raut, Ahmed remain absent

Despite show of strength and unity, factional feud within City Congress was also visible as two stalwarts- EGS Minister Dr Nitin Raut and former AICC Secretary Anees Ahmed were not present while filing the papers. When MPCC chief Manikrao Thakre was asked about absence of these two senior leaders, he said Raut is on way and Ahmed also met him. 

AAPs Goswami files nomination for Ramtek LS 

Aam Admi Party (AAP) Candidate for Ramtek LS constituency Pratap Goswami filed nomination papers at Collectorate office on Friday. Anjali Damania, Candidate of Nagpur LS constituency is likely to submit papers on Saturday. Goswami was general secretary of Kishan Manch before joining of AAP. “We will contest the election on issues of corruption, criminal nexus, farmers and others issues,” he said.