Alleging that the BJP is placing strain on the MLAs of smaller events and Independents forward of the June 10 Rajya Sabha election, Shiv Sena chief Sanjay Raut on Saturday mentioned the ruling MVA coalition in Maharashtra `doesn’t have the Enforcement Directorate on its aspect’.
Expressing confidence that the Sena-NCP-Congress alliance will nonetheless bag 4 out of six seats, he suggested the saffron get together to not “waste its money”.
The Shiv Sena and BJP — the chums turned foes — will battle it out for the sixth seat of Rajya Sabha from Maharashtra as not one of the seven candidates within the fray – 4 of the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi and three of the BJP – withdrew their nominations on Friday.
“By fielding a third candidate, the BJP has decided to contest the Rajya Sabha election…..It is relying on Independents and smaller parties. They are being pressurized, and we are getting all information about this. The MVA too is contesting the election seriously. The only thing we don’t have is the ED,” Raut informed reporters right here.
“The BJP should not waste money (on election), instead it should use it for social causes. The MVA will win all four seats comfortably,” added the Sena chief, who himself is searching for one other Rajya Sabha time period as his get together’s candidate.
Speaking to reporters in Latur, BJP chief Devendra Fadnavis refused to answer Raut’s barbs.
“Who is Sanjay Raut? What is he? He keeps making contradictory comments. Why should I respond to them?” requested the previous chief minister.
“Is he some renowned philosopher or great leader? He keeps talking on any issue the whole day. No need to comment on it,” Fadnavis added.
To one other query, he mentioned the previous Congress and NCP leaders who’ve joined the BJP would stay loyal to their new get together.
“These leaders got frustrated with their old parties, hence they joined the BJP. So they will vote for the BJP candidates,” he mentioned.
An election — with MLAs as voters — can be held for Rajya Sabha seats from Maharashtra for the primary time since 1998.
The BJP has fielded Union minister Piyush Goyal, Anil Bonde and former MP Dhananjay Mahadik, whereas Shiv Sena has put up Sanjay Raut and Sanjay Pawar.
The NCP has renominated Praful Patel, whereas Congress has fielded Imran Pratapgarhi.
The battle for the sixth seat is between the BJP’s Mahadik and Sena’s Pawar.
Source: www.financialexpress.com”