Shiv Sena MP, BJP MLA finally shake hands

Mumbai: The BJP has succeeded in putting an end to the differences between Shiv Sena MP Shrirang Barne and BJP MLA Laxman Jagtap in the Maval Lok Sabha constituency. Both the leaders held a joint press conference and declared that they will work together for NDA’s victory. Mr Jagtap’s rebellion had threatened to derail Mr Barane’s chances from the constituency where NCP chief Sharad Pawar’s grandson Parth is the opposition candidate.

In the pre-poll alliance of the BJP and Shiv Sena, the Maval constituency has gone into the Sena’s kitty. The Sena has fielded Mr Barane against NCP’s Parth Pawar.

Earlier, Mr Jagtap’s rebellion threatened to derail Mr Barane’s chances in the constituency. This led to a greater possibility of the NDA losing votes and Parth winning the seat. Thus, Sena MP Sanjay Raut, too, held a meeting with Mr Jagtap last week in a bid to convince him to forget the differences and participate in Mr Barane’s rally and help the NDA win the Maval seat. Finally, Mr Jagtap and Mr Barane declared their alliance Monday for NDA’s victory.

In the meantime however, the Maval constituency has seen a sudden rise in Parth’s popularity. Parth is contesting his maiden elections. But Mr Barane who is also the sitting MP has dismissed Parth’s challenge saying that the NCP lacks organisation in the constituency, which is spread from Pimpri in Pune district to Panvel in Raigad district.