Lok Sabha elections 2024: All eyes on onion territory

Onion market in APMC, Pimpalgaon, in Nashik. File pic

Pimpalgaon-Baswant in Nashik district is synonymous with farmers' protests. Several politicians have faced the farmers' ire here, especially during the election campaigns. This election will be no different, as reports coming in from the country's biggest agro markets said that the farmers were planning to protest during PM Narendra Modi's May 15 rally for NDA's Nashik candidate, sitting MP Hemant Godse (Shiv Sena) and Dindori nominee, sitting union minister Bharti Pawar (BJP).

Similar protest calls were given ahead of the PM's event here in the 2019 polls. Nothing untoward was reported then, but the security forces and local police had gone through tremendous stress ensuring the safety of the leaders and audience. A senior BJP leader informed us that, in 2009, then Gujarat CM and Maharashtra poll in-charge had addressed a public meeting in Pimpalgaon-Baswant. Modi returned five years later, and again thereafter.

This time, the prohibition of onion export and lifting of the ban ahead of elections due to protests, is a raging issue in Nashik and Dindori Lok Sabha constituencies, where onion cash crop is produced in a very large quantity. NCP chief Sharad Pawar, who was subjected to the farmers' anger here many moons ago, had turned the onion export issue into a poll plank. Together with the Lasalgaon market in the same parts of north Maharashtra, the Pimpalgaon market caters significantly to national and international requirements.

In the past few days, a digital war over Modi's rally played between the Opposition and NDA. BJP's joint chief spokesperson Ajit Chavan said on Monday that the Opposition had spread rumours that PM Modi's May 15 rally had been shifted from Pimpalgaon Baswant to some other venue. "The rally will be held here in the presence of lakhs of people, a record number of Modi ji supporters," he said while sharing the pictures of the rally preparations.

CPM leader Dr Ajit Nawale said the party's kisan sangathan, which is known for its long marches, has not organised any protest in Pimpalgaon. "I don't think any other organisation has given a call for protest," added the leader. Call or no call from farmers, the security agencies will not leave any stone unturned to ensure peace, said a senior BJP leader. Meanwhile, the BJP, its partners, Shinde Sena and NCP-Ajit Pawar are said to be working overtime to make the rally a success. They hoped that Modi would make it a memorable event for the farmers, by assuring them what they have been demanding. The PM will be in Mumbai the same day, and return on May 17 to share the Shivaji Park dais with Raj Thackeray. Mumbai will vote on May 20.

Dharmendra Jore is political editor, mid-day. He tweets @dharmendrajore
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