Mumbai: Even after forging an alliance between with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena leader and minister of state for textile, Arjun Khotkar is adamant with his decision to contest Lok Sabha elections against the BJP state president Raosaheb Danve, from Jalna. This move could prove to be a huge set-back to the BJP if Sena candidate opposes it.
Anticipating trouble, the minister for marketing and BJP leader, Subhash Deshmukh brought Danve and Khotkar together on Monday, trying to allay their fears and resolve the misunderstanding between the two. The meeting was held at Khotkar’s residence, in Jalna. Although Khotkar has often publicly vowed to contest the LS polls against Danve, he is keeping his cards closed.
He remarked that the decision on his candidature will be decided by Sena president Uddhav Thackeray and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Khotkar had announced his decision to contest against Danve as a Sena candidate and in case he refused, he would contest as an independent candidate. This, however, was prior to Sena agreeing to forge a pre-poll alliance with the BJP.
Now with the pre-poll alliance in place, Danve and the BJP are worried about being embarrassed by Khotkar, who wants to contest independently. They are confident, he is likely to defeat Danve causing a loss to the BJP. Sources in the BJP disclosed, Danve along with Deshmukh sought a private meeting of Khotkar and have tried to pacify him.
The duo are reported to have assured Khotkar making him victorious in the Assembly elections and have also assured him a cabinet rank berth in the next Sena-BJP alliance government. Sources further disclosed, Khotkar is reported to have remained non-committal, adamantly stating, the final decision on his candidature for the Lok Sabha elections will be taken by his party president and the CM.
