Konkan poll likely to be a 3-horse race

Mumbai: The election to the Konkan local bodies’ constituency is likely to be a three-horse race. While the Shiv Sena has fielded Rajeev Sabale; the BJP has left the seat for its ally, former deputy chief minister Narayan Rane’s party, Maharashtra Swabhiman Paksha. Buzz is that the BJP, while avoiding a direct confrontation with the Sena, is shooting off Narayan Rane’s shoulders. The NCP, meanwhile, is likely to field a family member of former state president, Sunil Tatkare.

The Sena declared Mr Sabale’s candidature a few days ago. The BJP, looking to seal a deal with the Sena for the 2019 general elections, has chosen to let its other partner, Narayan Rane, contest the local bodies’ seat. BJP state chief Raosaheb Danave Patil reportedly called Narayan Rane to convey the party’s decision.

As per the Congress and NCP’s seat-sharing formula, the NCP will contest the Konkan local bodies’ seat. Last time, Sunil Tatkare’s elder brother, Anil Tatkare, was the MLC here. Generally speaking, Narayan Rane has always helped Sunil Tatkare however this time, Narayan Rane’s son, Nilesh Rane, has made it clear that the NCP should not assume the Rane family’s support for this seat.