Lost poll deposit but surely gained in experience, say Lok Sabha candidates of Vidarbha

NAGPUR: Across the 10 Lok Sabha constituencies of Vidarbha, total 142 candidates lost their deposits while trying their luck in the general elections.
The lowest vote count was for Prabhakar Satpaise, an independent from Nagpur, who managed to get only 156 votes which was 0.01% of the total vote tally. And among these low scorers across Vidarbha, Deorao Nannawre of Gadchiroli (Ambedkarite Party of India) managed the best performance by securing 16,117 votes, i.e.1.41% of the total vote tally.
But these results are not leaving them disappointed because for many it was just an experience which they needed to check off from their bucket list.

Nilesh Kalchuri, an independent candidate from Bhandara-Gondia Lok Sabha constituency said, “I wanted to experience what it is to contest the Lok Sabha polls. And frankly, it was a good learning experience and has helped me gain confidence in reaching out to people. I now look forward to contesting civic polls which will be relatively easier with a limited area and specific voters.”
For Nannaware, the highest vote-getter in this list of deposit losers, the issues mattered more. “I was happy to stand for the issues that I believe in and take the message to the people. The votes that I got (over 16,000) are reflection of the fact that people put their faith in me. I wanted to fight for farmers issues, OBC representation and improvement in system of elections. I could not reach a large number of people because of lack of financial support, but I will continue to contest elections,” he said.
For Sameer Deshpande, an independent candidate from Yavatmal-Washim constituency, the results were not shocking. “I obviously lacked the experience and financial support for conducting strong campaigns. I am not surprised with the result, but would have really loved to win and then debate serious issues in the Parliament with the prime minister. For me issues like terrorism and women’s empowerment are the ones which need more attention,” said Deshpande.
But Pravin Gadhave, the Ambedkarist Republican Party candidate from Wardha, the results did come in as a shock. “I strongly suspect that the EVMs were manipulated because there is no way I would have lost. I think this seems to be the case even across the country if one goes by the results,” said Gadhave.