Sena-BJP wins over support of 11 independents

The 11 independents are: Harshwardhan Patil (Indapur), Bhauanna Patil (Chandgar), Ramesh Gajbe (Chimur), Ashok Patil Dongaonkar (Gangapur), Digambar Bagal(Karmala), Shivajirao Kardile (Ahmednagar, rural), Madhukar Kamble (Sangli), Sitaram Ghanadat (Gangakhed), Chainsukh Sancheti (Malkapur), Badamrao Pandit (Devrai), and Omkar Wagh.

Of these 11 seats, seven would otherwise have been contested by the Sena and four by the BJP. Replying to reporters, Rane said it was true that these Independents had defeated Sena/BJP candidates in 1995, but they had stood by the alliance since 1995, and were still `loyal’ to the Sena-BJP.

To another question the chief minister said they had promised to stay with the alliance for a full five years, if elected. The alliance leaders will campaign jointly in these seats, Rane said.

Asked to comment on the spate of independents joining Sharad Pawar’s NCP, Munde said Pawar had backed their candidatures in 1995 when the Congress denied them tickets. They were only returning to another reincarnation of the Congress (S), he said. Munde also said defectors and rebels usually do not win elections.

Sena, BJP seat swap

MUMBAI:The ruling Shiv Sena-BJP alliance leaders today held a meeting here to discuss swapping of some constituencies and joint poll manifesto in the ensuing Maharashtra Assembly and Lok Sabha polls.

The meeting, held at the mayor’s bungalow in Dadar, was attended by Chief Minister Narayan Rane, Deputy CM Gopinath Munde, Sena leaders Raj Thackeray, Uddhav Thackeray, Subhash Desai, Satish Pradhan, State BJP chief Suryabhan Vahadne and BJP leaders Prakash Jawdekar, Sharad Kulkarni and Atul Bhatkhalkar.

The meeting also discussed the issue of allocating some seats for independent members in the dissolved State Assembly supporting the Sena-BJP alliance.