Sena, BJP to clash in Legislative Council elections

The Shiv Sena would be contesting the June 25 election to Konkan Division Graduates constituency of the Maharashtra Legislative Council, a party leader today said.

The decision would once again pit the party against its ally, BJP. Sena's Shrinivas Wanaga lost to BJP's Rajendra Gavit in the bitterly-fought Palghar Lok Sabha by-election yesterday.

A Sena leader said the party has decided to nominate former Thane mayor Sanjay More from the Konkan Division Graduates seat.

More would be taking on, among others, new BJP entrant Niranjan Davkhare, who held this seat before resigning last month. Davkhare quit the NCP and joined the BJP.

The saffron party is likely to field Aniket Vijay Patil, son of former union minister and senior Congress leader Vijay Naval Patil, from the Nashik Division Teachers constituency, a party source said.

The seat is currently held by Apoorva Hiray, an independent MLC.

The BJP has nominated Anil Kumar Rajesing Deshmukh from the Mumbai Division Teachers seat in the Council. His main rival will be Kapil Patil of Janata Dal (United).

The last date for filing nominations for biennial elections to these three Council seats is June 7, while the votes will be counted on June 28.

The term of current legislators from these seats will end on July 7.