Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje withdraws from Rajya Sabha poll citing 'self-respect & horse-trading'

Sambhajiraje withdraws from RS poll citing self-respect & horse-trading

Targets CM for not honouring his word for supporting his candidature as an independent

However, Shiv Sena shot back saying Sambhajiraje was earlier an NCP member then what prevented him from joining Sena

Rift among ruling MVA partners surfaced as Congress said it wished that Sambhajiraje should have been elected to the upper house

BJP has yet to reveal its plan about fielding third nominee

Mumbai: Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje on Friday announced that he won't contest the Rajya Sabha election as an independent slated for June 10 citing ‘’self-respect’’ and also to avoid horse-trading. Sambhajiraje said he declined CM's offer to join Shiv Sena to get the nomination as he insisted that he was prepared to contest as an independent backed by Maha Vikas Aghadi government.

The 13th direct descendent of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj attacked Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray for "not honouring" his word to support his candidature as an independent and insisting that he should first join Shiv Sena before getting a ticket.

Sambhajiraje declined to give details on what was the understanding that was reached between him and CM but said the latter did not keep his word. ‘’For me, the Rajya Sabha seat is not the concern. The welfare of the masses is more important for me... I will go on a state-wide tour to strengthen the idea of `Swarajya` now and see my strength," he noted. He has recently floated an outfit Swarajya to take up issues of farmers, deprived, urban and rural unemployed and others.

Sambhajiraje also made it clear that he had no `angst or ill-will` against any party as they all had their respective agendas to pursue and he respected their stand.

However, Shiv Sena has shot back saying that if he was in favour of contesting on Shiv Sena's support why not join the party.

Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant claimed that Sambhajiraje has missed a great opportunity. ‘’Sambhajiraje was earlier an NCP member then what prevented him from joining Sena. You stick to your views, we stand by our opinions," he noted.

On the other hand, another Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut claimed for the party the chapter is over as it does not want to enter into war of words. “Our love and respect for Sambhajiraje will continue to be there,’’ he said.

Sambhajiraje's decision to withdraw from the contest exposed differences among MVA partners as state Congress chief Nana Patole said, ‘’ It is really unfortunate that Sambhajiraje did not become an MP! But the Congress will always support him.’’

Patole further stated, ‘’Not aware of view of other parties but Congress wished that Sambhajiraje should have been elected to the upper house.’’

Meanwhile, BJP is yet to reveal its plan about fielding a third nominee as it still awaits the instructions from the central leadership. The last date for filing nominations is May 31 when the picture will be clear whether the polling is an inevitable or unopposed election for six seats.

Published on: Friday, May 27, 2022, 07:30 PM IST