Uddhav begins candidate selection for 2019 polls

A senior Sena functionary said that Thackeray, in a meeting at Sena Bhavan on Tuesday, discussed two Lok Sabha constituencies — south Mumbai and south central Mumbai — and asked the two sitting MPs to start preparation.

Even as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) attempts to mend ties and forge an alliance before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the Shiv Sena has already initiated its candidate selection, with party chief Uddhav Thackeray convening a meeting of senior Sena leaders and asking them to gear up for the general elections.

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has already initiated its candidate selection. (Kunal Patil/HT Photo)

A senior Sena functionary said that Thackeray, in a meeting at Sena Bhavan on Tuesday, discussed two Lok Sabha constituencies — south Mumbai and south central Mumbai — and asked the two sitting MPs to start preparation. “The meeting was one of many to finalise the strategy for Lok Sabha constituencies. The two sitting MPs Arvind Sawant (south Mumbai) and Rahul Shewale (south central Mumbai) would retain their candidature [for 2019],” said a senior Sena leader, who was part of the meeting. Thackeray is expected to discuss 10 constituencies in Vidarbha on Wednesday and with the help of his party, draw up a list of probable candidates, the senior leader said.

Thackeray’s move is viewed at as an attempt to put pressure on the BJP, which has been making overtures to Sena for an alliance in Lok Sabha and Maharashtra Assembly polls.

However, party secretary and Rajya Sabha MP, Anil Desai, said, “As the elections are approaching, the meeting was a review meeting for preparation.”

Party spokesperson Manisha Kayande said, “Uddhavji gave guidance to all leaders and other office-bearers on how to go ahead with planning. On the organisational front, he reviewed whether any appoints were remaining. Now we have to gear up; work on checking voter names in respective constituencies will start.”