MUMBAI: Amid uncertainty over the candidature of sitting BJP MP Kirit Somaiya from Mumbai Northeast Lok Sabha seat, Shiv Sena MLA Sunil Raut stated on Thursday he was once ready to contest the election from the constituency if there was once a need.
The Shiv Sena has been vehemently opposing the candidature of Somaiya, as it is miffed with his consistent grievance of party leader Uddhav Thackeray.
There are reports that Somaiya had lately sought time for a meeting with Thackeray and Sena MP Sanjay Raut. However, both of them had reportedly refused to meet him.
Speaking to journalists on Thursday, Sunil Raut, brother of Sanjay Raut, stated there will likely be no opposition to any candidate, apart from Somaiya.
"Due to the allegations levelled by Somaiya against Thackeray in the last 3-4 years, not only Shiv Sena, but the people of the constituency and all Marathi-speaking people are opposing him. Even if he is given a ticket by mistake, I assure you that the BJP will lose the seat," he stated.
He added that except Somaiya, if every other candidate, both belonging to the BJP or the Sena, will win the seat as there's super anger in opposition to him even inside his own party.
"Somaiya has not maintained any ties with the people of his constituency...We see 'Matoshree' (Thackeray's residence) as a temple. But if he makes allegations against it and calls (Thackeray) a mafia don, there cannot even be an attempt to give him a ticket," Raut, who represents Vikhroli Assembly constituency, stated.
When requested whether he himself would contest the election if Somaiya was once given a price tag, he stated he had religion in Thackeray that he would take a call that will get advantages the Sena and the Marathi-speaking other people.
"A time will not come wherein I need to contest. However, if there is a need, I am ready," Raut stated.
In 2014, Somaiya had defeated Sanjay Dina Patil of the NCP. While the Sharad Pawar-led party has fielded him again, the BJP is but to announce its candidate.
Polling for Lok Sabha election in Mumbai North East seat will likely be held on April 29 within the fourth section of common elections. The ultimate day of submitting of nominations is April 9.
The Shiv Sena has been vehemently opposing the candidature of Somaiya, as it is miffed with his consistent grievance of party leader Uddhav Thackeray.
There are reports that Somaiya had lately sought time for a meeting with Thackeray and Sena MP Sanjay Raut. However, both of them had reportedly refused to meet him.
Speaking to journalists on Thursday, Sunil Raut, brother of Sanjay Raut, stated there will likely be no opposition to any candidate, apart from Somaiya.
"Due to the allegations levelled by Somaiya against Thackeray in the last 3-4 years, not only Shiv Sena, but the people of the constituency and all Marathi-speaking people are opposing him. Even if he is given a ticket by mistake, I assure you that the BJP will lose the seat," he stated.
He added that except Somaiya, if every other candidate, both belonging to the BJP or the Sena, will win the seat as there's super anger in opposition to him even inside his own party.
"Somaiya has not maintained any ties with the people of his constituency...We see 'Matoshree' (Thackeray's residence) as a temple. But if he makes allegations against it and calls (Thackeray) a mafia don, there cannot even be an attempt to give him a ticket," Raut, who represents Vikhroli Assembly constituency, stated.
When requested whether he himself would contest the election if Somaiya was once given a price tag, he stated he had religion in Thackeray that he would take a call that will get advantages the Sena and the Marathi-speaking other people.
"A time will not come wherein I need to contest. However, if there is a need, I am ready," Raut stated.
In 2014, Somaiya had defeated Sanjay Dina Patil of the NCP. While the Sharad Pawar-led party has fielded him again, the BJP is but to announce its candidate.
Polling for Lok Sabha election in Mumbai North East seat will likely be held on April 29 within the fourth section of common elections. The ultimate day of submitting of nominations is April 9.
Mum NE seat: Sena not okay with BJP's Somaiya
![Mum NE seat: Sena not okay with BJP's Somaiya]()
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March 28, 2019
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