MNS may support Cong-NCP in Ambernath civic body chief poll

Seven seats were won by independents and eight by others.

Among the independents,four have offered to support the Sena and three the rival alliance. However,the numbers are not adding up to the magic figure of 26.

“We have discussed the matter. We are being approached by both the groups and have communicated our views. We might extend support from outside but the final call will be taken by Raj on Sunday,” said Manoj Chavan,Thane district in-charge of MNS.

The MNS leaders said considering its rivalry with the Sena,chances of supporting the Sena were remote. “We do not want a hung council. Our support is crucial as independents are split between Congress and Sena. Without us,no party can claim power,” said an MNS leader.

A confident Sena,on the other hand,claimed that the Ambernath municipal council president will be from the Sena. “This civic body is extremely important for us and we will do everything possible for victory,” said the Sena’s Thane MLA Eknath Shinde. When asked if the party was in discussion with MNS leaders to work out a possible strategy to win the president post,Shinde denied it but added anything could happen in the next two days.

Sena not keen on Thane MLC seat
The Shiv Sena is not keen on contesting the legislative council election from Thane local bodies’ constituency. Instead,it may support an independent candidate against sitting MLC and deputy chairperson of the council Vasant Davkhare of the NCP.

This is despite the fact that the Sena has a strong presence in urban local bodies in Thane district.

According to sources,the Sena is yet to find a capable candidate to match Davkhare as he is on good terms with Sena leaders including Bal Thackeray,and getting elected would involve canvassing for votes of elected members of civic bodies in the district. “There are 80 per cent chances that we will support an independent candidate. There is a need for a strong candidate to fight against Davkhare and anyone willing to do it will be given a chance,” said a senior Sena leader.

Thane MLA Eknath Shinde said that while Naresh Mhaske,Ramesh Patil,Gopal Landge and H S Patil have expressed desire for contesting the election,the party was also thinking of supporting a candidate of the Lok Bharti Party. “We will do everything possible to win this election,” he said.

The Thane seat has been unshakable for Sena despite it having maximum number of elected representatives here. Davkhare has won the seat for three terms,beating Sena candidates: Sacchidanand Mahadik (1992),Shashikant Thosar (1998) and Ravindra Phatak (2004).

Despite being rival parties,Davkhare’s proximity to Sena is well known in political circles as he openly pays courtesy visits to party supremo Bal Thackeray at his residence in Matoshree. A Sena leader said,“We have good relations with him so any further decision on whether to support an independent candidate or a Sena leader will be decided by Balasaheb and executive president Uddhav Thackeray in the next two days.”

The election is scheduled on May 28 and the last date of filing nominations is May 11.