Shiv Sena to tie up with BJP, RPI in Nanded civic polls

In a formal indication that its plans for a pre-poll alliance with the Raj Thackeray led Maharashtra Navanirman Sena (MNS) in Nanded have fallen through, the Shiv Sena has declared that it will contest the civic polls in a tie up with the BJP and the Republican Party of India (Athavale).

The Shiv Sena had offered a pre-poll alliance to the MNS in the Nanded Waghala Municipal Corporation (NWMC) to take on former Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, who controls it. The polls to the 81 seats in the civic body are due on October 14. However, Raj had spurned the offer in what Sena leaders admit reflected poorly on the Sena.

The Sena’s move was significant as this would have been the first pre-poll alliance between the two warring parties. In the past, the Shiv Sena and the MNS have reached post- election understandings in places like Ambernath, Thane and Kalyan Dombivali.

Shiv Sena MLC and party secretary Vinayak Raut said that the Sena would contest 55 seats while the BJP and the RPI faction led by former MP and Dalit leader Ramdas Athavale would contest in 21 and 5 respectively.