These sugarcane cutters, who are unable to cast their votes, will have a chance this time as the crushing season is going to commence in October. All out efforts are on from both NCP and BJP in addition to the Congress, to lure these voters.

Incidentally, for sugarcane cutters, Pawar has been an undisputed leader, while Munde was successful in making inroads into them. Though Pawar has been enjoying a massive following until recently, Munde has gained a popularity among them, who largely come from the Vanzari community. Munde has an advantage as he also comes from the Vanzari community.

Functioning of the 117 sugar cooperative factories with an investment of Rs 45,000 crore had come to ahalt, when these cutters had gone on strike for two months last year to press their demands.

However, they called off the strike in November 1998, while accepting the decision from a high-level committee comprising Pawar and Munde. Interestingly, the meetings between Pawar and Munde had raised eyebrows in the state political circles.

The committee came out with various sops for sugarcane cutters, which included 25 per cent rise in their wages, one per cent increase in the commission of contractor, public distribution shop at the camp of sugarcane cutters, residential school for their children and an insurance cover for them. Following an understanding between the Maharashtra State Cooperative Sugar Factories Federation and various unions of sugarcane cutters, an agreement was signed in this regard in May.

It must be mentioned here that Pawar has got the backing of the majority of the cooperative sector in Maharashtra as his followers, Ajit Pawar and Jayant Patil are the chairmen of the Rs 5,500-croreMaharashtra State Cooperative Bank and the Maharashtra State Cooperative Sugar Factories Federation. Ironically, very few sugar factories and societies have remained with the Congress, while the ruling Shiv Sena-BJP alliance has managed to make a dent in this sector.