BJP may not support Sena in council polls

Mumbai: In order to settle a score with the Shiv Sena, which fielded Shrinivas Vanaga for the Palghar bypoll, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) may not support the Sena in Nashik and Konkan seats for the legislative council elections. The BJP-Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) understanding may create problems for Sena in council elections.

Sena has created embarrassment for BJP in Palghar as they had fielded Shrinivas Vanaga, son of BJP MP Chintaman Vanaga.

Chief minister  Devendra Fadnavis told that BJP was thinking to field him in the elections, but he joined Sena. Mr Fadnavis tried to avoid fight with Shiv Sena as it is supporting the government and Congress may get benefit if BJP-Sena will fight in the elections.

Mr Fadnavis had given few options or proposals to Sena for withdrawal from the fray of Palghar byelection. He offered Legislative Council seat for Mr Vanaga in July as Sena has additional votes. But

Shiv Sena declared to fight all elections solo, so party chief remained firm over the decision of fighting this election against BJP, told party sources.

Shiv Sena is contesting legislative council elections solo fielding Narendra Darade from Nashik and Rajiv Sable from Konkan. Though Shiv Sena has good strength in these constituencies, they need support from BJP.

NCP fielded Aniket Tatkare, son of former irrigation minister Sunil Tatkare from Konkan constituency who got support from senior leader Narayan Rane’s Swabhiman party.

To settle the score, BJP may support Mr Tatkare against Sena.