As Sena (UBT) decides to go solo in BMC and other civic body polls, Sharad Pawar’s party raises doubts

Even as Shiv Sena (UBT) on Saturday announced it would be going solo in the BMC and other civic body polls in Maharashtra, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP has raised doubts as to ”whether the move was aimed at going closer to the ruling parties”.

Prashant Jagtap, NCP(SP) leader, said, “We are surprised by the statement emanating from the Sena that it wants to go solo in civic elections. The statement raises doubts as to whether this was aimed at going closer to the ruling parties. Even party workers feel likewise,” he said.

On Saturday, Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut said his party intends to contest the BMC and other elections on its own. ”We want to contest civic elections from Mumbai to Nagpur on our own. We want to test our strength. When we contest on our own, our party leaders and workers get an opportunity to contest the elections and this helps in strengthening the party network,” he said.