Cong, NCP happy that they lost Udayan to BJP

MUMBAI, SEPT 12: The arrest of Udayanraje Bhosale has caused acute discomfort to the BJP but the Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP -- all of wh...

MUMBAI, SEPT 12: The arrest of Udayanraje Bhosale has caused acute discomfort to the BJP but the Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP 8212; all of whom had wooed this controversial descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji 8212; are now heaving a sigh of relief for not having succeeded in their attempts.

After the Assembly was dissolved in July this year, the BJP was firm on putting him up as its candidate from his home turf, but the Sena, the NCP and Congress too made vigorous efforts to get him on their side of the political divide. 8220;We felt he would be a better choice for us in Satara. In fact, we were about to declare his candidature,8221; a senior Congress leader revealed. 8220;Now we thank the BJP for having won him over, otherwise Munde would have raised a big hue and cry today over such an incident,8221; the Congress leader added.

Not just the Congress, but the NCP too was keen on winning over Udayan on its side. So much so, that even after declaring his uncle Abhaysingh Raje Bhosale8217;s candidature, it tried to persuade Udayan.The Shiv Sena too made futile efforts to have him as its Assembly candidate. But then, with a lineage like his, Udayanraje is used to being sought after and for the same reason, he is no stranger to controversies either.

The intra-family dispute between Udayanraje Bhosale and his uncle, NCP nominee from Satara Abhaysinh Raje Bhosale, which is well-known in western Maharashtra, assumed political overtones during the 1990 Assembly elections when Abhaysinh contested as Congress candidate and Udayan8217;s mother Rajmata Kalpana Raje Bhosale fought on a Shiv Sena ticket. Abhaysinh defeated her by a margin of over 38,000 votes. In the subsequent Assembly elections in 1995, Abhaysinh was re-elected with a huge margin, while no one from the Rajmata8217;s family contested the election.

In the meanwhile, the politically ambitious Udayan made a vain attempt to gain control of the Ajinkya Cooperative Sugar Factory from Abhaysinh.

As the family feud intensified, Udayan got an an opportunity to settle scores in the 1998by-election to the Satara Assembly seat. Since Abhaysinh was elected to Parliament, he had fielded his son Shivendra for the Satara Assembly seat. Udayan, a BJP nominee, defeated Shivendra by a thin margin.

The party wanted to reward Udyan but was unable to accommodate him in the Cabinet. The alliance government then appointed him vice-chairman of the Krishna Valley Development Corporation. However, Irrigation Minister Eknath Khadse complained to Munde about Udayan8217;s 8220;indifferent attitude.8221; His complaint did not succeed in getting Udayan8217;s nomination terminated, but Udayan didn8217;t get an extension either. However, the importance of being Udayanraje Bhosale ensured him a place in the state cabinet, boosting his standing in the region. And with all the parties clamouring for him before the elections, Udayanraje seemed all set for a long and steady political innings. But then, the Saturday night murder happened.