Maharashtra: Shiv Sena-BJP tussle over Murji Patel’s ‘fake’ caste certificate

BJP’s Murji Patel (right) on Friday. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

The tussle between Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena and the BJP continued following the filing of nominations for the Andheri assembly bypoll, with Sena's ex-corporator Sandip Naik objecting to the nomination of Murji Patel, a BJP candidate.

The Andheri assembly seat has been vacant ever since MLA Ramesh Latke's passing away, following a heart attack in May this year. October 14 was the last day of the nomination - Rutuja, wife of Latke, who belongs to Uddhav Thackeray's Sena and Patel from BJP filed nominations on the same day. Experts said that the election would be a litmus test for the upcoming BMC polls.

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On Saturday, Naik, a former Shiv Sena corporator and an alternative candidate for the Andheri bypoll from the Thackeray faction, held a press conference, levelling serious allegations against Patel. Naik also filed a complaint with the election officer. He claimed that Patel was elected as corporator on a fake caste certificate and therefore, barred from standing for municipal elections for six years. "He went to the [Bombay] high court against the decision, but even the court dismissed his petition. We requested the Election Commission to reject his nomination," said Naik.

Election officers told mid-day that they have followed the guidelines set by the Election Commission of India and there isn't any mention of rejection of nomination on grounds of disqualification at corporation-election level. Also, the election is being held on a seat without caste reservation. Naik has threatened to move court if the EC doesn't reject the nomination.