Shiv Sena, the ruling party in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is jittery due to rebellion while contesting the by-election at ward no 147 in Chembur Ghatla village. The official candidate faces a tough challenge from a party rebel in the contest.
The bypoll, which will be held on January 10, has been necessitated due to the resignation of corporator Anil Patankar, who quit Congress a few months back to join the Shiv Sena. Though he has now been fielded by the ruling party, the nomination of Nagesh Tawate, a former Shakhapramukh, as an independent has changed the equations.
Mr Tawate’s candidature has made the contest exciting, which was earlier considered as a cakewalk for Mr Patankar. The rebel candidate, who is also a close aide of local Sena MLA Tukaram Kate, enjoys a good support in Ghatla village ward.
Sena has been making desperate attempts to ensure Mr Tawate withdraws his nomination. The last date of withdrawal is December 28. “We are hopeful Mr Tawate would withdraw his candidature at the earliest,” said a senior party corporator.
Along with Mr Patankar and Mr Tawate, there are eight candidates in the fray. The Congress has fielded Rajendra Nagrale, who had resigned from the MNS just days ago. Mr Patankar was a staunch supporter of senior Congress leader Narayan Rane. However, he resigned as a corporator a few months ago alleging torture by his former mentor.
