Shiv Sena eyes professionals as candidates in bid to change image

Ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls, the Shiv Sena is looking for professional candidates like doctors, engineers and lawyers to send out a good signal among the voters and change its old image of being “rowdy.” Sources in the party said that the party chief wanted educated people to be given a chance in electoral politics.

“We already have lot of our Shiv Sainiks from various professional fields. There are doctors, engineers and even lawyers. Some of them have been given various responsibilities in the party. Our MP Rahul Shewale is an engineer, former mayor Shubha Raul is a doctor and there are many names to be quoted like these two. The BMC tickets would be given to them considering their contribution for the party,” Sena spokesperson Arvind Bhosale said.

A section of leaders in the party is happy to promote the candidates belonging to different professions. “If the party is going to contest alone in the polls, then it would need more candidates. The party can field such candidates to change its image among the voters. The Sena has the potential to field good candidates,” a Sena leader said.

However, another section in the party said promoting only professional candidates would hurt the sentiments of the older workers. “There is no fixed criteria for Shiv Sena candidates to be fielded for the BMC poll. The only criteria is they should be Shiv Sainiks from their heart,” another Sena leader said on the condition of anonymity.

“There are already working professionals elected in the Sena. Also, if anyone is not well-educated it does not mean he or she is not a good candidate. The final decision will be taken by Uddhavji Thackeray and he knows the party workers very well,” the leader further said.