Akhil Bhartiya Marathi Chitrapat Mahamandal poll campaigning picks up

Kolhapur: The campaign for elections to the Akhil Bhartiya Chitrapat Mahamandal (ABMCM) has gained momentum after allotment of poll symbols to the candidates on Friday.The elections are set to witness a direct face-off between two major panels, while the independent candidates have formed a third front. The polls are scheduled on June 7 in Kolhapur, Pune and Mumbai, while votes will be counted and results declared on June 8.Sixty candidates had initially qualified for the 17 seats available, 13 later withdrew their nominations, while three were elected unopposed. Consequently, 44 candidates will now contest for the remaining 14 seats.The election will feature a direct contest between the Samarth panel led by former ABMCM president Meghraj Raje Bhosale and the Chitrakarmi panel led by Satish Randive. Each front has fielded 14 candidates and the excitement surrounding the elections has intensified with 16 independent candidates jumping into the arena.On Friday, election symbols were allotted at the Bhandarkar Hall of the Gayan Samaj Deval Club. The Samarth panel’s symbol is a kite, while the Chitrakarmi panel has a cup and saucer. The remaining independent candidates were allotted symbols like umbrella, telephone, radio, whistle, road roller, turban, guitar, coconut, two-wheeler, butterfly, based on their preferences and availability.Meanwhile, Bhosale has written to the election commission demanding additional polling stations in Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nagpur and Sawantwadi. He said, “Currently, there are only three polling stations in Kolhapur, Pune and Mumbai. However, members are scattered across Maharashtra and even outside the state. Considering the extreme heat in June, it will be troublesome for many to travel long distances to vote. Additional polling stations should be made available as per the provision of part 7, no. 6 of the Constitution with the aim to facilitate voting rights of members and increasing the voting percentage.“With only eight days left for the elections, the contest has intensified with renowned artists and activists from the film industry becoming actively involved in the canvassing. Meetings, interactive sessions and campaign drives are underway across the state, with efforts being made to reach every single voter.The total voter count is 3,400 — Kolhapur with 520, Pune with 840, Mumbai with 1,200 and other districts with 840 voters. Additionally, the three unopposed winners are Varsha Usgaonkar in the actress category, Vijay Khochikar in the editing category and Anand Shinde for music and playback.