Rift Emerges In MVA Over Rahuri By-Election

Mumbai: Signs of discord have surfaced within the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) over candidate selection for the upcoming Rahuri Assembly by-election. While Congress has decided to field its candidate, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader too has announced that he would contest the by-election under any circumstances. Former Sharad Pawar (SP) MLA Prajakt Tanpure has also hinted of contesting independently.

Former Congress minister Balasaheb Thorat claimed that Congress will field a candidate in Rahuri and that he will be elected. There are reports that the name of lawyer Atharva Mhase will be put forward by the Congress. Mhase also met Thorat in this regard.

However, the Shiv Sena (UBT) district leader Raosaheb Khevare has announced that he would contest the by-election under any circumstances. He made it clear that he had informed party chief Uddhav Thackeray about his decision to contest the bypoll. Interestingly, Khevare also claimed that he has informed Thorat that he will be contesting the election. I have been working for the party for the last 30 years, but till date I have not got an opportunity, Khevare said.

Meanwhile, former Sharad Pawar (SP) MLA Prajakt Tanpure has also announced his decision to contest the election, but he is likely to contest independently.

Tanpure took out a rally across the constituency in preparation for the bypoll. However, during the rally, there was no display of the NCP (SP) party symbol or flag. In the last general election, Tanpure contested on the NCP (SP) ticket against BJP’s Shivaji Kardile, but was defeated.

The Rahuri by-election has been necessitated due to the death of Shivaji Kardile and the BJP has already announced the candidature of his son Akshay Kardile.

The last date for filing nominations for the Rahuri by-election is April 6 (Monday), while the deadline for withdrawal of nomination is April 9.