Mumbai, Oct 6 (PTI) Rumblings have surfaced in both the ruling Mahayuti and Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), with their constituents staking claims to each other’s seats and announcing candidates for the October 23 Maharashtra Legislative Council polls.
On Monday, the Shiv Sena (UBT) announced Dattatray Lahane as its candidate for the Amravati Teachers Constituency. The Congress last week declared Aditi Pohare as its candidate for the same seat.
Both the Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) are members of the MVA.
The Sena (UBT) also announced the candidature of Dilip Ghuge from the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Graduates Constituency.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said, “We are contesting two seats (Amravati and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar). You call it a friendly fight or whatever you want. We are contesting them.”
Even the Shiv Sena and the BJP, constituents of the ruling Mahayuti, are vying for the Pune Division Teachers’ seat.
The BJP on Sunday announced three candidates for the Council elections, fielding Dr Smita Jadhav, wife of Pudhari Group chairman and editor Yogesh Jadhav, from the Pune Division Graduates constituency, Sudhakar Kohle for the Nagpur Division Graduates’ constituency, and Kaustubh Gawde for the Pune Division Teachers’ constituency.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who heads the Shiv Sena, said Mangesh Chivte will be filing nomination for the Pune Teachers’ seat.
“Chivte will file the nomination. The process of filing the nomination is on. There is time for withdrawal. Mahayuti will discuss the issue and then there will be a decision after discussion between me, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis (BJP) and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar (NCP),” Shinde said.
The Sunetra Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Monday announced Satish Chavan as its candidate for the Aurangabad Graduates constituency. State NCP president Sunil Tatkare issued an official letter to this effect.
Chavan has represented the Aurangabad Graduates constituency in the Upper House for three terms since 2008.
The NCP is part of the ruling Mahayuti along with the Bharatiya Janata Party and Shinde’s Shiv Sena.
Biennial elections are being held for five seats — three graduates and two teachers’ constituencies — in the 78-member Legislative Council. These are Pune Division Graduates, Nagpur Division Graduates, Pune Division Teachers, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Graduates and Amravati Teachers constituencies.
Polling will take place on October 23 and votes will be counted on October 27. Tuesday is the last day for filing nominations, while scrutiny will be held on Wednesday. Candidates can withdraw their nominations till October 9.
Registered graduates and teachers residing within the respective geographical divisions are eligible to vote in these elections. PTI PR RSY GK
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