NAGPUR, DECEMBER 23: Crisis-ridden Sena-BJP alliance's amibitiouss plan to either embarrass or topple the Congress-led Democratic Front government failed to even take off following the massive defeat of its nominee in the Deputy Speaker's election. Sena-BJP nominee and Independent member Anil Gote polled 131 votes against 152 secured by veteran legislator and Congress candidate Pramod Shinde, while four ballot papers were found blank. The total strength of the House is 287.Ever since the swearing-in of Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, senior leaders of the saffron alliance, particularly of the Sena, have been claiming that the DF government will be a short-lived one.Since the declaration of the election programme for the Deputy Speaker's post, the saffron alliance had launched a massive exercise to garner support for its nominee. The Sena-BJP was mainly banking on the discontent on the ruling front.According to a senior BJP leader, top functionaries of the alliance were on constant touch with the rebel Congress members. In fact, at one stage, it appeared that the election of Congress nominee Pramod Shinde was uncertain. However, when the chief minister himself took over, the political situation changed quickly to the advantage of the Democratic Front. Deshmukh had one-to-one talk with almost all the Legislators. High-profile Minister of State for Home Kripa Shankar Singh played a vital role in the election process.Deshmukh described as baseless reports that there were serious differences between the Front constituents. However, the next moment Deshmukh had to face unexpected embarrassment when Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal admitted that there were differences within the Democratic Front. ``No doubt we have differences, but any effort to create instability will not succeed,'' Bhujbal added.Leader of Opposition Narayan Rane said though the alliance nominee was defeated, there was reduction on the strength of the Democratic Front.
