Mumbai, January 15: The Nationalist Congress Party today joined Chief Minister Ashok Chavan in campaigning for a Congress candidate in the Bhiwandi east by-election.
NCP’s Maharashtra unit president Madhukar Pichad, Chavan and state unit Congress president Manikrao Thakre addressed election rallies for Congress nominee Muzaffar Hussain in the textile town near here.
The by-poll, necessitated due to resignation of SP leader Abu Asim Azmi, will be held on January 20.
Azmi was elected from Mankhurd-Shivajinagar and Bhiwandi east in October 2009 Assembly elections. He retained Mankhurd and resigned from Bhiwandi.
Hussain, currently an MLC, is pitted against Farhan Azmi, son of Abu Asim Azmi and husband of actor Ayesha Takia.
—Agencies