Palghar result: Cong for unity of secular votes against BJP

Stung by the humiliating defeat of Congress in Palghar Lok Sabha bypoll, where its candidate lost his security deposit, state Congress chief Ashok Chavan today urged secular parties to come together to defeat the BJP.

"Time has now come for all the secular and like-minded parties to come together to defeat the BJP and to ensure that secular votes are not divided," Chavan told PTI.

Congress nominee Damodar Shingda forfeited his security deposit as he failed to secure the minimum six per cent of total votes polled in the May 28 bypoll.

BJP's Rajendra Gavit won the bye-election today by garnering 2,72,782 votes. His nearest rival, Shiv Sena's Shrinivas Wanaga, polled 2,43,210 votes.

Interestingly, Gavit is a former Congress leader.

The bypoll was necessitated due to death of sitting BJP MP Chintaman Wanaga in January this year.

Chavan also lashed out at the Shiv Sena which had fielded the deceased MP's son against the BJP nominee.

Addressing a press conference this evening, Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray blamed "faulty" EVMs for the defeat of the party nominee in Palghar.

"If the Shiv Sena has any self respect left, it should quit the government. How can the party criticise its ally while being a partner in power?" he questionned.

Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena is a constituent of the BJP-led NDA government in Centre and Maharashtra.

When asked about the Congress' poor performance in Palghar, Chavan, a former chief minister, said, "Congress has not contested the Palghar lok sabha seat for the last ten years. We left the seat to Bahujan Vikas Agadhi (BVA) as it was part of the UPA.

"I had told the CPM and BVA to put up a united candidate against the BJP, however, they wanted to contest and test their strength. As a result of which we were left with no option but to contest the bypoll".