Mumbai, December 21: Responding to criticism that it did not abide by the coalition dharma in the recent Legislative Council elections, Shiv Sena on Monday said alliance partner BJP should explain why it fielded Madhu Chavan when the numbers were stacked against that party.
“BJP fielded Chavan despite the fact that it had only 29 votes, far less than what was needed for victory. Those talking about coalition dharma should also remember that it is about taking alliance partner into confidence while fielding candidates,” Sena spokesperson Neelam Gorhe told news agencies.
“Would BJP have fielded Chavan had there been open ballot system,” Gorhe said. “BJP leaders should explain Sena Chief Bal Thackeray the basis on which Chavan was fielded,” she added.
Congress candidate Bhai Jagtap and Shiv Sena’s Ramdas Kadam were today declared elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Council from the Mumbai local self-government bodies constituency.
Chavan was defeated.
Kadam said BJP had had tried to defeat him but its plan was ruined.
The development comes two days after former state BJP President Nitin Gadkari was named BJP president.
Chavan did not get the second preference votes of Sena.
“It would have been in keeping with the alliance dharma if Sena had cast second preference votes to him,” a BJP leader said.
The results show that there is unity in Sena voters and they are with Balasaheb and Executive President Uddhav Thackeray, Gorhe said.
-PTI