Bypoll highlights CM’s muscle power

Mumbai: The victory of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Prasad Lad on Thursday in the Council bypoll is being seen as an indication that chief minister Devendra Fadnavis can win a trust vote even if its sulking ally the Shiv Sena withdraws support to the BJP-led government. Mr Lad got 209 votes, including 62 Shiv Sena votes. The BJP managed to secure 147 votes on its own for Mr Lad, which was two more than the number needed for the government to prove its majority on the floor of the Assembly.

According to BJP sources, Mr Fadnavis has sent a message to Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray with the results of the Council bypoll.  Earlier, during the Presidental elections, BJP candidate Ramnath Kovind secured 207 votes.

Mr Fadnavis has also sent a message to Maharashtra Swabhimaan Paksh leader Narayan Rane, who is supporting the BJP. Mr Rane was eager to contest this bypoll, but Shiv Sena was not ready to support the move, as there is bitterness between the party and Mr Rane.  “Mr Fadnavis also  does not want Mr Rane in the Cabinet, so he used the opposition of the Shiv Sena as a shield to prevent Mr Rane from contesting,” a source said.