Power tussle: BJP and Shinde Sena yet to sort out differences, declare candidates on 6 seats

So far, the BJP is contesting on 27 seats, Shiv Sena on 10 and NCP-Ajit Pawar from four seats. Two phases of elections for 10 seats of Vidarbha and and three seats of Marathwada concluded on April 19 and 26.

Highly placed sources in the BJP said, “Each of these seats where candidature has been withheld has its own peculiar problems. Thane, the home turf of CM Shinde, has become the bone of contention as both the sides have asserted their rights.

After the intervention of BJP’s central leadership, the party has finally conceded Thane constituency to Shinde’s party with the condition that the candidate “has to be approved by the BJP”.

The BJP was keen on fielding Sanjeev Naik from Thane but Shiv Sena argued that the CM cannot reconcile to parting the home turf to its alliance partner. Insiders in the BJP said, “The battle for Thane turned so bitter that the CM had to put his foot down with the state leadership.”

In 2019, Thane was won by Rajan Vichare of undivided Shiv Sena who has since then remained loyal to Shiv Sena UBT and filed nomination on Monday.

Another constituency that is embroiled in a bitter tussle is Nashik in North Maharashtra where Shinde-led Sena is insisting on the constituency as it has a sitting (MP) Hemant Godse.

Earlier, NCP (Ajit Pawar) faction claimed the seat and decided to field its senior minister Chhagan Bhujbal. The BJP had no objection to Bhujbal’s candidature as it believed it would help consolidate OBC vote bank. After getting nod from his party, Bhujbal had started work in the constituency. But Shinde Sena made it clear that it was not going to part with Nashik seat. With no signs of official announcement in the seat, Bhujbal has declared his withdrawal from the race.

Bhujbal said, “I am deepy hurt… I was made to believe that I had to contest. But the inordinate delay in formal announcement and intra-party bickering have disappointed me. So, I have withdrawn from the contest. Now, let them do what they want.”

Last month, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that sitting Shiv Sena (MP) Shrikant Shinde would remain the candidate from Kalyan seat. However, announcment is not yet in. Shrikant, the son of CM Shinde, has been aggressively campaigning in the constituency where BJP- Sena relationship has not been cordial.

State BJP president Chandraskhekar Bawankule said, “Since we have five phases of elections, we release the lists in phases. In any party, certain workers would feel they should get the seat and top leaders resolve the issue.”

Although both the sides are downplaying the bitterness, insiders admit, “Seat negotiations between the BJP and the Shiv Sena were not without hurdles.”

The polling for 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra is being held in five phases that began on April 19 and will end May 20. Two phases of polling for 13 seats are already over. The nomination for third and fourth phases for 21 seats is complete. In the final phase on May 20, 13 seats will go to polls.

In the tribal Palghar constituency, Shinde Sena asserted its right arguing it has sitting MP Rajendra Gavit. But the BJP says that Palghar was given to undivided Shiv Sena in the previous polls and therefore, it has rightful claim over the constituency. The presence of Bahujan Vikas Aghadi, which holds three out of total six assembly segments, is also seeking the constituency.

Although the BJP has conceded Mumbai North West constituency to Shinde Sena, its search for a suitable candidate continues. The Shinde Sena is unlikely to field sitting (MP) Gajanan Kirtikar whose son Amol Kirtikar is the candidate of the rival Sena UBT. The frontrunner in this constituency is Ravindra Waikar who recently quit Thackeray Sena to join Shinde Sena.

The high profile Mumbai South constituency saw both saffron parties driving a hard bargain. In 2019, undivided Shiv Sena (MP) Arvind Sawant won this constituency. Sawant has remained loyal to Shiv Sena (UBT), which has nominated him this time, too.