CM avoiding Sena-BJP fight in Lok Sabha polls

Mumbai: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis doesn’t want the Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to fight each other in the upcoming Lok Sabha (LS) bypolls in Palghar and Bhandara-Gondia as he reportedly fears losing these seats in triangular fights. The Sena, however, is firm on going solo in both the elections and is not ready to initiate alliance talks; in fact, it might soon field its candidate for the LS bypolls, which are scheduled for April-May 2018.

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray met Mr Fadnavis over the Nanar Green Refinery project on Wednesday. A political discussion took place amongst them for a few minutes, kicking off talks of new permutations combinations in political circles. But Mr Thackeray’s PRO Harshal Pradhan said, “We will go solo in the elections as Mr Thackeray had stated. The decision stands and we are preparing for the elections.”  Refuting the possibility of initiating any alliance talks between the allies, a Sena leader said on the condition of anonymity, “Now teams of Shiv Sena leaders will visit constituencies and finalise the candidates for Lok Sabha and Assembly elections and review preparations.”  

The BJP MP from Bhandara-Gondia, Nana Patole, had resigned on December 8 and joined the Congress whereas Palghar MP Chintaman Vanga had passed away due to heart attack on January 30. Bypolls for both the seats are expected in April.

The BJP, according to sources, fears that if the Sena field candidates, it might lose both seats. Mr Patole is a very strong leader and the Sena has a powerful presence in the Palghar and Thane districts. The LS bypolls are unlike local body polls and hence, Mr Fadnavis is trying to influence Mr Thackeray into not contesting both the seats. “But we may contest on both the seats,” said a Sena source.