Shiv Sena (BT) to not field a single candidate from Pune
Mumbai: It was learnt that the Shiv Sena (BT) has withdrawn from the fray in Pune. Chief Minister and party President Eknath Shinde has decided to not field a single candidate from Pune, said reliable sources.
The Shiv Sena (BT) has given up its claim on all seats in Pune. Therefore, there may not be a single candidate of the party from any of the eight Assembly constituencies. It was learnt that not a single aspirant from the Shiv Sena (BT) is willing to contest the poll. The party is not prepared to fight from any of the eight segments.
However, the party is insisting on contesting two seats from the district. Therefore, it may get the Purandar and/or Bhor seats.
In the rival alliance, the Shiv Sena (UBT) wants to field its candidates from the Hadapsar and Kothrud Assembly constituencies. Local party leaders Mahadev Babar, Prithviraj Sutar and Chandrakant Mokate are the aspirants.
BJP to contest lone seat in Konkan
The BJP is likely to withdraw from Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg. It is said the party could contest a lone seat in Sindhudurg. It will not field a single candidate from any seat in Ratnagiri district. The Shiv Sena (BT) may get four seats in Ratnagiri while the Chiplun seat could go to the NCP (AP).
In Sindhudurg district, the BJP will field a lone candidate while the Shiv Sena (BT) will have two seats. It is predicted that Nilesh Rane may contest on the Shiv Sena (BT) ticket. BJP office-bearers and workers are not happy with this as the party had a good success rate in the Lok Sabha polls in Konkan.