Kolhapur: Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana founder Raju Shetti’s significant defeat in the Hatkanangle constituency has raised concerns about the sustainability of political leadership through agrarian movements. Experts believe that farmers’ unrest was a key factor in the electoral outcomes in Maharashtra and the country, reported The Times of India.
Experts noted that the farmers’ discontent led to the defeat of Mahayuti candidates in Maharashtra, particularly highlighting Dindori, where Union minister Bharati Pawar of the BJP lost to NCP (SCP)’s Bhaskar Bhagare, benefiting the MVA.
In this context, Shetti’s loss was unexpected, especially since he finished third in the constituency he previously represented twice, receiving only 1.79 lakh votes. This occurred despite his active advocacy for farmers over the past five years.
Around 12.9 lakh voters participated in the constituency’s election. Shetti is perhaps the only candidate relying on small donations from farmers for his campaign, following the “One Note One Vote” initiative. The Hatkanangle constituency is dominated by sugarcane farmers. Shetti’s attempt to frame the narrative as farmers versus sugar mills did not resonate well with the sugar cane farmers.
Shetti has led the farmers’ movement for the last two and a half decades, achieving success with one assembly election win and two Lok Sabha victories. Despite continued support for the movement, Shetti’s defeat raises questions about the future of the farmers’ movement under his leadership.
There are nearly 2 lakh sugarccane farmers in the constituency.
