Before poll results, Sena (UBT)-Cong squabble over Sangli LS seat

Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress clash over Sangli Lok Sabha seat, with Sena MP Sanjay Raut warning of consequences in the aftermath

MUMBAI: The Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress have once again locked horns over the Sangli Lok Sabha seat. Without naming the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said that his party would not keep quiet about what had happened in Sangli during the elections.

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut

Raut was referring to the aftermath of the Sangli seat conflict between the Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) during seat-sharing talks. The Congress was keen on contesting from Sangli, since the constituency is its traditional stronghold and the Thackeray faction has no base there. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, however, unilaterally declared the candidature of Chandrahar Patil. There was a sharp reaction from local Congress leaders, and ultimately Congress leader Vishal Patil fought the election as an independent.

After Patil was projected as a possible winner in some exit polls, Raut on Sunday expressed his anger at the “politics” in Sangli without naming the Congress and its leaders. He also blamed them for the likely defeat of the Sena (UBT) candidate. “We know what happened in Sangli. We are not in politics to play marbles,” he said colloquially. Raut’s statement was seen as a warning to the Congress that there would be consequences if the Sena (UBT) candidate lost, and also indicated a dispute brewing within the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA).

Raut ridicules exit polls results

Sanjay Raut ridiculed the exit poll predictions that the BJP and NDA would sweep the country and Maharashtra. “The exit poll results are not true,” he said. “The BJP and PM Narendra Modi will not be in power after June 4. In Maharashtra, the MVA will win 30 to 35 seats.”