Congress, Shiv Sena repeat candidates; BJP has nominated Manoj Kotak
Congress, Shiv Sena repeat candidates; BJP has nominated Manoj Kotak
It’s going to be a three-horse race for two seats from Mumbai in the Legislative Council, with Congress, BJP and Shiv Sena contesting the polls.
While Congress and Sena have repeated candidates Bhai Jagtap and Ramdas Kadam, respectively, who had been elected to the two seats last time, the BJP has put in Manoj Kotak’s nomination on Tuesday, making it a tough fight.
Mumbai municipal corporation members will vote for both seats and candidates will need 76 votes to win the polls. At present, of the 227 in the House, Sena has a majority with 75 corporators, BJP has 31 corporators, Congress 52, Samajwadi Party 29, Independents 28, MNS 27 and NCP only seven. Elections will take place on December 27.
With Sena having the requisite numbers, Mr Kadam is expected to have a smooth win. However, the minister is not taking any chances and has ensured that all votes are secured, said sources close to him.
The main fight then will be between Congress and BJP candidates for the second seat. NCP is helping Congress while Samajwadi Party is likely to vote in favour of the former. There are also independent corporators and their votes will be important in this situation. “We will ensure that our candidate wins the polls smoothly,” said a senior Congress leader.
MNS has not yet cleared its stance on voting, but sources in BJP said the party will vote for the BJP candidate. “Our senior leaders have spoken with the MNS leadership. We are confident that our candidate will win with support from the Sena and MNS,” said a BJP leader.
BJP Mumbai president Ashish Shelar said the BJP and Sena will win the two seats from Mumbai. “We will get in touch with other parties for support,” he said. MNS is likely to help the BJP in the polls, said sources.
BJP group leader in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Manoj Kotak, filed his nomination for biennial election to the legislative council from Mumbai local self-government body on Tuesday afternoon. Mr Jagtap of Congress and Mr Kadam of Sena filed their papers on Monday.
