Maharashtra: MVA MLAs asked to come to Mumbai ahead of Legislative Council elections

Sharad Pawar. File Photo

After Rajya Sabha polls setback, the state's ruling Mahi Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has asked all its MLAs to gather in Mumbai ahead of the Maharashtra Legislative Council (MLC) polls on June 20. There are 11 candidates -- five from the BJP and two each from the three MVA constituents -- in the fray for ten vacancies in the Council.

"All the MLAs of the alliance partners Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress have been asked to be in the Mumbai from June 18," said Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

Talking about the Rajya Sabha setback, Sharad Pawar said the BJP's third candidate, Dhananjay Mahadik, won due to second preference votes.

"Shiv Sena candidate got 33 votes while BJP got 27 in the first round, but Mahadik surged ahead in the second round. Now for Council polls, we have taken all precautions. All MLAs have been asked to be in Mumbai on June 18, 19 and 20," the senior NCP leader said.

"Congress and NCP leaders held preliminary talks with Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, who heads the Shiv Sena, on Wednesday to plan strategy for the Council polls," Pawar said.

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Uddhav Thackeray told them that key Sena leaders were in Ayodhya alongwith minister Aaditya Thackeray, so another meeting would be held upon their return.

"The Shiv Sena has the numbers to get two candidates elected while NCP and Congress do not have enough votes for their second candidates," Pawar said.
"We are talking to smaller parties and Independents," he added.

Speaking about NCP chief and his uncle Sharad Pawar refusing the offer to become the opposition's candidate in the presidential polls, Ajit Pawar said he declined because he is comfortable being in the public life with people around him.

(with inputs from PTI)