It should not amaze people, if their representatives turn a bit superstitious in such testing times as Vidhansabha elections, and resort to things that might not be supported by rationale but is firmly backed by beliefs. An informal conversation with a few of the contesting candidates revealed that like any other common man, they too have their own beliefs which they firmly hold on to, specially during the time of elections.

Sadanand Shetty, Shiv Sena contestant from Pune Cantonement, says, “I always keep photograph of my mother and my wife in my pocket. And before leaving home, I never forget to seek blessings of my late father. I have been doing this since childhood and I firmly believe that this works for me. My father’s blessings helps me in doing good things and my mother’s blessing and my wife’s love holds me from going wrong, if at all I do something which is not correct.”

Balasaheb Shivarkar swears by his party principle and says that he believes in Almighty and karma and therefore, all he does to ensure success is to work and leave rest to God. “I step out of my house after taking blessings of God and my parents, who are no more. But I don’t follow any other ritual,” says Shivarkar of Congress, who is contesting from Hadapsar.

Ravindra Dhangekar of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) never forgets to look at the photograph of his late daughter. “She was 12 when her soul left her body. But she is still a source of inspiration for me. I feel that till she is with me I will never go wrong. Election or not, I always have her photograph in my wallet, and I make sure that I see her photo before I start my day.”

... contd.