Sena to field Thane ex-mayor in Konkan

Mumbai: To settle scores with the BJP for its marginal defeat in Palghar, the Shiv Sena has decided to field its candidate in the Konkan graduate constituency in the Legislative Council election. The Sena will field Thane ex-mayor, Sanjay More, against BJP candidate Niranjan Davkhare.

Ex-MLA and NCP leader Niranjan Davkhare left his party and joined the BJP last month citing internal disputes and the treatment meted out to him by senior leaders. With Mr Davkhare contesting the election on a BJP ticket, the Sena has decided to field Mr More to settle scores with the BJP.

Because Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray declared that the party will contest all elections solo, the Sena has declared its candidate, said a senior leader. With Sena contesting its candidate, Mr Davkhare will face problems getting victory. Meanwhile, NCP will field TMC corporator Najibulla Khan in the election. In the triangular fight, the BJP candidate may face problems getting victory, said a party leader.

The fight between the BJP and Sena will benefit the Congress and NCP. Hence, BJP leaders are trying to woo the Sena leadership, but Mr Thackeray is not ready for an alliance as he knows that after deriving the benefit of the alliance in the Lok Sabha election, BJP will break it. Hence, the Sena is not ready to trust the BJP’s proposal, said a party leader.