Manohar miffed as Sena looks for younger faces for LS seats

Veteran politician and Shiv Sena leader Manohar Joshi is irked after a meeting with party chief Uddhav Thackeray after he said to have been subtly told that he might not get a Lok Sabha ticket to any of the three seats that he has laid claim to.

Veteran politician and Shiva Sena leader Manohar Gajanan Joshi, 75, is irked after a meeting with party chief Uddhav Thackeray, during which he is said to have been subtly told that he might not get a Lok Sabha ticket to any of the three seats that he has laid claim to – South central Mumbai, Thane or Kalyan.

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The primary seat that he was staking claim to- South central Mumbai- which covers his homeground area of Dadar- Mahim-Sion was the issue of contention after civic standing committee chief Rahul Shewale went all out to put up his posters and banners in all Ganesh pandals.

According to Sena insiders who attended the meeting, the party leadership has more or less finalised that younger faces should be given Loksabha tickets.

Sena sources added that informally Shewale’s candidature has been finalised and he has been given a green signal to go ahead and start a subtle campaign in the south central area.

“Gauging the mood of the upcoming elections and the huge youth population, the preference will be given to younger people. Manohar Sir is one of the senior most leader in the party and his guidance will always be taken,” a senior Sena leader said.

But Joshi denied being considered only in the capacity of a mentor.

“No one has told me that. And I have been very clear about asking for a Lok Sabha ticket,” he added.