Shiv Sena ready to support any BJP candidate, except Narayan Rane

Mumbai: The Shiv Sena will support the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s candidate for the council election for a single seat as the BJP is not fielding former chief minister Narayan Rane, who has aligned with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The Sena does not want to support a Congress or an independent candidate or field its own candidate, as they do not have an assurance that the Nationlist Congress Party (NCP) will extend its support, said sources.  The by-poll for the vacant seat because of Mr Rane’s resignation will be held on December 7 and Monday is the last date for filing nominations.

So as long as Mr Rane does not contest the seat, the Sena will be comfortable with any BJP candidate. But there is suspense surrounding the name of the BJP candidate. According to a senior party leader, BJP  president Amit Shah and CM Devendra Fadnavis will take a decision tomorrow morning. According to party sources, chief spokesperson, Madhav Bhandari, treasurer Shaina NC and Prasad Lad are the three names in the race.

The Congress have tried to support an Independent candidate who could be preferred by all opposition parties and the Sena as well as one who would be an honourable person from any other field like literature, music, art etc. But BJP leaders talked with Sena  chief Uddhav Thackeray and said that Mr Rane would not be fielded and requested support. As the Sena did not want to take the risk of fielding its own candidate since they had no guarantee from the NCP.

Sharad Pawar, the NCP chief recently disclosed a secret meeting, which took place between him and Mr Thackray. So now the Sena does not want to depend on or support NCP and fight with BJP. So it is willing to support any other candidate fielded by the BJP, according to a Sena leader.

The Congress has decided to field former MLA Dilip Mane, but it has not been officially announced as yet. Former CM Prithiviraj Chavan told The Asian Age that, “We will field the candidate tomorrow and the election will not be unopposed. All opposition parties are supporting us.”