The BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP combine in Maharashtra found itself on shaky grounds this week amid clashes in Nashik constituency. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde headed to the city on Wednesday as differences within the alliance threatened to derail the Lok Sabha poll campaign of sitting MP Hemant Godse. The BJP had initially opposed his candidature and sought to give the seat to the Ajit Pawar-led NCP.
The Chief Minister held a meeting with local party leaders on Wednesday in a bid to pacify them and improve the campaign prospects. Godse also met with NCP minister Chhagan Bhujbal at Shinde’s behest and sought his support for the campaign.
The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) has fielded Rajabhau Waje from Nashik while spiritual leader Shantigiri Maharaj is contesting as an independent candidate. Election to the Nashik parliamentary seat will be held in the last phase on May 20.
“Everyone is together for the victory of Hemant Godse. He is a two-term MP…Now Karanjkar is with Godse. Therefore, Godse’s victory is confirmed. Vijay Karanjkar, like you, I was also in the race (for the chief minister’s post) till the last minute. If not me, someone else would have been made the chief minister, but he himself jumped into the race and became the chief minister,” the CM asserted on Wednesday.
The former Shiv Sena (UBT) leader had been keen on contesting the seat and resigned as Nashik district unit president after the party fielded Waje. He had eventually withdrawn his nomination and opted to join the Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Published: 09 May 2024, 05:32 PM IST