Shiv Sena yet to decide on new Shirdi Lok Sabha candidate

While Uddhav Thackeray has announced that Shiv Sena would decide the candidate for the Shirdi Lok Sabha constituency in a day or two in the wake of its original candidate, Babanrao Gholap, being convicted in a corruption case, some Sena leaders are asking why Gholap couldn't remain the candidates as people like A Raja and Padamsingh Patil are in the fray for the Lok Sabha polls, without perhaps being not aware of the legalities involved as both Raja and Patil have not been convicted till now.

"There is all round speculation over the possible nomination of Premanand Rupawate as the Sena candidate. He will be joining the party, but his candidature has not been fixed till now. Besides, we have other options too, like Sadashiv Lokhande and Lau Kanade," said a Sena source.

Premanand Rupawate, is the son of former Congress minister Dadasaheb Rupawate and had contested as a Congress rebel in the last Lok Sabha elections. Rupawate's daughter is a member of the Indian Youth Congress.

Uddhav Thackeray targets MNS

Meanwhile, addressing a rally in Navi Mumbai, Thackeray said Sena was the first to express support to Narendra Modi, and that though the MNS had also expressed support to Modi, that party was involved only in the politics of defeating others. He also alleged that the MNS had a secret understanding with the NCP.

Accusing the NCP as a party of traitors, Thackeray said its president, Sharad Pawar, was always on the lookout to see from where he could get something. He pointed out that when the Sena talked about Hindutva, people wanted action taken against it, but nobody talks about taking action against Owaisi.

According to Thackeray, the Congress does not have confidence. Why hasn't the Congress named its prime ministerial candidate yet, he asked.