MLC polls: BJP cosies up to Shiv Sena for support

While the gloves are off for the state legislative council elections, the BJP is trying to solicit the support of their junior ally, the Shiv Sena for their candidate.

On Thursday, revenue minister Chandrakantdada Patil and education minister Vinod Tawade met Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray at his residence, Matoshree, in Bandra east. Shiv Sena leaders said the council poll was on the agenda of the meeting.

The July 7 by-election has been necessitated after the resignation of Narayan Rane from the Congress, who has formed his own front, the Maharashtra Swabhimaan Paksha, and is waiting in the wings to be inducted in the state cabinet as BJP's ally.

A senior Shiv Sena leader said that while there were no chances of them supporting Rane in case the BJP declared his nomination, their senior ally could not take them for granted when it came to the Sena's support in the council polls. "Much of this depends on the candidate to be fielded by the Congress and NCP. The picture will be clear only then," he added, while stating that the Shiv Sena would not stake claim to the seat.

Polling in the elections takes place through secret ballot, which raises the spectre of cross-voting and horse trading.