Sena to contest 21 seats

MUMBAI, Dec 27: Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray today said his party had conducted "smooth talks" with the Bharatiya Janata Party...

MUMBAI, Dec 27: Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray today said his party had conducted "smooth talks" with the Bharatiya Janata Party for a sharing of seats for the Lok Sabha elections.

The talks held late last night went off without a hitch, he said. The Sena will now contest one seat more than it did in 1996 while the BJP’s claim is for 26.

There are a total of 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra. One seat has been left undecided but is likely to fall in the BJP’s basket.

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According to a BJP state executive, his party leaders are expecting the defection of the Congress’ sitting MP from I chalkaranji "any day now".

"He will most likely join the BJP. So the future of that seat will be decided later," he added.

Meanwhile, the Sena today announced its candidates from Thane and Kulaba constituencies. They are sitting MP Prakash Paranjpay and Anant Tare, respectively.

Police personnel seen to control the situation during a massive protest over the statehood demand and the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule, in Leh on Wednesday. (ANI Video Grab)

Statehood protest takes violent turn in Ladakh, BJP office set ablaze in Leh

India1 hr ago

Protests in Ladakh turned violent as students and youth organisations demanded statehood and Sixth Schedule status. Two elderly protesters fainted, prompting a shutdown call. A BJP office and security vehicle were set on fire. Activist Sonam Wangchuk urged for a peaceful approach. The demand for Sixth Schedule status is due to Ladakh's tribal-majority population and direct central administration.

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