Antulay’s ‘conspiracy theory’ might lead to his downfall

In fact,Antulay is a reluctant candidate and had sought to make age an excuse for not contesting the election. In fact,he was keen to stand down after opposition to his candidature from locals and the district unit of the Congress party.

Even Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and state Congress president Manikrao Thakre had opined that Antulay was not keen on entering the fray.

Whether or not he wanted to contest,the 80-year-old is now in the fight and might as well be in it to win,say some partymen.

Antulay,who felt Karkare was killed to put the probe into the alleged involvement of Hindu radicals in the Malegaon blasts case under wraps,is now banking on support from Maharashtra Energy Minister Sunil Tatkare,an NCP leader.

The union minister had later said that there was no need for a probe into his conspiracy theory angle. Karkare was killed by terrorists during the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai.

“This will be Antulay’s waterloo,” says Sena candidate and former union minister Anant Gite.

The Sena has so far refrained from raking up Antulay’s conspiracy theory,but is set to do so when the campaign reaches its crescendo. The Raigad Parliamentary seat will go to polls on April 23 and campaign will end on the evening of April 21.

In 2004,Antulay represented the Kulaba Lok Sabha seat,but post-delimitation,Kulaba and Rajapur seats and some parts of Ratangiri seats have been merged into Raigad constituency.

What makes Antulay’s chances difficult is not just his remarks on the 26/11 killings,but also the coming together of the Sena and the Peasants and Workers Party,although its ideologically opposed to the Sena.

In the last elections,the two parties had contested separately and had polled over 4.5 lakh votes. They are,however,allies for the purpose of polls to local bodies.

Pen and Panvel areas are a stronghold of PWP and senior Sena leader Manohar Joshi has a good support base in Mahad and Dapoli areas falling under the constituency. Although Joshi was keen to contest from Raigad,Gite was given preference as he commands the support of the ‘Kunbi’ community.

Antulay also has to fend off farmers’ ire over acquisition of land at “throwaway” price for the Maha Mumbai SEZ.

“An acre of land which costs crores in Raigad was being taken over for a few lakh rupees. We protested and tried to prevent the government from doing so. This has earned us the goodwill of farmers and it will reflect through the ballot,” Baban Patil,Sena’s Raigad district chief said.