Maharashtra bypolls: Shiv Sena fields late BJP MP’s son Shrinivas Wanga from Palghar

Plans to use the late BJP MP’s work in the region in its election pitch; to take huge procession to nomination centre

Putting an end to speculation, the Shiv Sena on Tuesday announced that it would field late Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Chintaman Wanga’s son Shrinivas for the Palghar Lok Sabha constituency bypoll. This is the first time that the party has fielded a candidate for a seat held by its ally, an indication of the widening rift between the ruling allies.

This is the first time that the Senhas fielded a candidate for a seat held by its ally, an indication of the widening rift between the ruling allies. (HT File Photo)

Sena spokesperson Manisha Kayande confirmed that Shrinivas Wanga would file nominations for the bypoll on Tuesday afternoon. “He is going to file the nominations today [Tuesday]. Senior Sena leaders are going to accompany him,” Kayande said.

A senior Sena leader said the party is planning to take a huge procession to the nomination centre as a “show of strength”.

The Sena also plans to use the late BJP MP’s work in the region as its election pitch. A poster made by the party reads: ‘Ek vote Shiv Sena la, ek vote Chintaman Wanga saheb aana’ (One vote for Shiv Sena, one vote for Chintaman Wanga).

The Sena, which has been upset with its ally for a while now, had in January declared that it would contest all polls independently, and its latest move indicates the depth of Uddhav Thackeray’s unhappiness with the BJP as well as his determination to follow through on the plan.

Senior BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari referred to Sena’s decision as “painful”. “The BJP has always had a high regard for Chintaman Wanga. We brought Mr. Wanga up to this stage, so it is painful for us,” Bhandari said.