The poll surveys as well as the exit polls predict a victory for BJP and Narendra Modi who undertook aggressive campaigning in this election. But it is the cooperative belt which holds the trophy.
It is generally believed that high turnout is a sign of anti-incumbency. Voters came out in large number to vote in Baramati area. The only lord of these areas so far has been Sharad Pawar. So is it a vote against him?
This region of Maharashtra remains hot bed of cooperative movement. But most of the cooperative organizations including cooperative sugar factories rocked by scams, shady transactions and internal dissensions have been on the verge of collapse.
The plight of the cooperatives has leapt to the fore as an important election issue. Most of these are being controlled by NCP and the Congress but there is a ground swell of support for BJP in these areas on account of it raising corruption issues, say commentators.
Of the 170-plus cooperative sugar factories in the state, 108 are in western and southern Maharashtra. Of the 70 private units, 62 units are in this region. These contribute more than 75 per cent of the sugar production of the state.
The region also houses a large number of cooperative banks, agricultural societies, milk dairies, poultries and horticultural units. This apart, the region had emerged as a hub for automobile, automobile component and information technology companies.
NCP chief Sharad Pawar paid special attention to ensure his bastion remains intact. But voters outsmart the cleverest of politicians. In Baramati how far he is going to wield influence this time is anybody guess.
With four major political parties deciding to contest the elections separately, the victory margins are expected to be thin. The scenario is likely to prevail especially in western Maharashtra where cooperative giants have chosen parties such as the Shiv Sena and BJP to contest the elections.