Family of late BJP MP from Palghar joins Sena ahead of by-polls

The family of the late MP from Palghar alleged that the BJP leadership had given it a cold shoulder after the MP’s death in January

In an embarrassment for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the family of late BJP MP Chintaman Wanga, on Thursday, announced their decision to the join the Shiv Sena. Wanga’s wife Jayshree and his two sons Shrinivas and Praful, met Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray at his residence Matoshree in Bandra on Thursday evening before announcing the decision.

The family said they have had good relations with the Thackeray family. (HT PHOTO)

The family of the late MP from Palghar alleged that the BJP leadership had given it a cold shoulder after the MP’s death in January. The by-poll for Palghar Lok Sabha constituency is slated for May 28 and the last day to file the nomination papers is May 10. So far, BJP has not announced its candidate for the by polls. Sena has also not made it clear whether it will contest these elections against its ally. The party also did not make it clear whether it would give any member of the Wanga family a by-poll nomination.

It is learnt that Wangas were upset after it realised that the BJP leadership may not give the by-poll nomination to a member of their family. Following the meeting, Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray told reporters that the Wanga family have joined the party. He said, “As on today, they have not expressed any desire to contest the election. Elections are not something that can be fought without coming out in the open. Whatever we have done so far has been declared openly. We will announce a decision on the by-polls soon.”

“Our father has worked for 35 years to build the party. Since the time there were only two votes for the party—which were of my father and mother—he has been working since that time. Now what is our situation? We had sought time of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and (BJP Maharashtra chief) Raosaheb Danve, but they did not give us time,” Shrinivas alleged at the press conference.

The family added that they have had good relations with the Thackeray family. “Even today you will find a picture of Balasaheb Thackeray and Atal Bihari Vajpayee in our house. We wish that we get Uddhav ji’s blessing,” Shrinivas added. The BJP, while in denial, said that they valued Wanga’s contribution for the party. ``BJP MP Wanga’s contribution to spreading the base of our party is significant. The Wanga family continues to be close to us and we have full faith that they will stay with us,’’ said BJP spokesperson Keshav Upadhyay.

A senior BJP leader said that the party was thinking of asking its tribal development minister Vishnu Sawara to contest the bypolls and the leadership was not convinced about the Wanga family pulling off a win. However, the party has not officially commented on its candidature.

The Congress and NCP announced that they would contest Lok Sabha by polls slated for May 28 together with Congress contesting Palghar and the NCP, Bhandara-Gondia.