The upcoming Andheri East by-election slated for November 3 took a twist after the chorus is for an unopposed election. A day after his meeting with the Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his interaction with Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena Chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday in a letter to the Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis urged not to field BJP candidate in the upcoming Andheri East by-election slated for November 3 in reverence to late MLA Ramesh Latke whose death has necessitated the election.
Hours after MNS chief’s appeal, the NCP chief and former union minister Sharad Pawar also called for an unopposed election of Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray nominee Rujuta Latke saying that it will send a positive signal in Maharashtra and rest of the country. Pawar also said Latke’s unopposed election is needed considering the contribution of her husband and Shiv Sena MLA late Ramesh Latke in BMC and state assembly and also because of the short tenure of one and half months that the newly elected representative will get to serve.
Pawar recalled that NCP had not fielded its nominee in the by-elections held following the untimely demise of senior BJP leader and former union minister Gopinath Munde.
Last date of withdrawal of nominations is October 17
These calls came on the eve of the last date of withdrawal of nominations which falls on October 17. Already Rutuja Latke and BJP candidate Murji Patel have filed their nominations by putting up a show of strength from both the sides. There are 12 other nominees in the electoral fray. Latke and Patel have started campaigns while Shelar held direct interactions with the voters. Already NCP, Congress and CPI have extended their support to Latke while Patel enjoys support from Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena and RPI (Athavale).
Will discuss with the party leadership: Fadnavis
Fadnavis admitted that the letter had been sent in good faith but added that he would have to discuss with the party leadership and Shinde before taking a decision on withdrawal of the BJP nominee from the electoral fray. ‘’His (Raj Thackeray’s) intentions are good. But I alone cannot take a decision in my party. We have filed the nomination and the announcement has come from above. We will have to speak with our leadership before giving a reply to this letter. We will also have to discuss with our ally Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena. Only then I can comment on this,’’ he noted.
Uddhav Thackeray hails Pawar
Interestingly, Uddhav Thackeray, who has already dared BJP and the Shinde led Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena to settle political scores on the ground, hailed Pawar’s call saying that it has taken Maharashtra’s culture to a new height. He reminded that Shiv Sena did not field its nominees in the past in the by-elections held after the death of veteran BJP leader Gopinath Munde, former home minister RR Patil and BJP leader Vijay Girkar’s wife Shailaja.
Earlier, MNS chief declared that it will not be contesting the by-election to show its reverence for the deceased legislator. He appealed to Fadnavis not to enter the by-election and field a candidate against Latke. ‘’I have witnessed late Ramesh Latke’s journey and growth in political field.’’
‘’I sincerely request you to not enter this bypoll election and put a candidate against Rujuta Latke. Whenever, there has been a situation, wherein a sitting MLA has passed away and a family member has filed for their candidature, our party has refrained from fighting the by-poll. This is our way of paying our reverence to the departed soul. I appeal to you with these sentiments in mind. Sentiments such as these are a part of Maharashtra's culture. I hope you will consider my appeal,’’ said the MNS chief.
Arvind Sawant takes a swipe at Raj
However, Thackeray led party’s MP Arvind Sawant took a swipe at Raj Thackeray and questioned whether his letter was as per the BJP’s script. ‘’The nominations have already been filed and the election is forced on us because of the BJP. It is too late. The BJP had fought bypolls in the past when the election was necessitated due to the death of the sitting MLA,’’ noted.
Further, former mayor Kishori Pednekar blamed BJP for belittling Maharashtra's culture by fielding its nominee. ‘’However, we are resolved to win the election by taking our symbol flaming torch to the voters,’’ she noted.
Bypolls till now
In the earlier by-elections held in Pandharpur, Kolhapur and Nanded, MNS did not make a similar appeal to BJP. Similarly, BJP fought those by-elections targeting the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi government.
However, the observers claimed it is a pre-decided script jointly crafted by Shinde led party, BJP and MNS whereby Thackeray led Shiv Sena and MVA should not get a mileage ahead of ensuing BMC elections. If the Thackeray led Shiv Sena wins, a positive message will go to the voters and the symbol will reach them ahead of BMC elections. According to the observers, BJP, which is taking every opportunity to corner Uddhav Thackeray, would not like his party to consolidate its position and scuttle its Mission 2022.
The fate of the by-election will be decided on Monday as the decision of 12 other nominees is important even after BJP decides to withdraw its nominee.
