NCP, Sena members break ranks, support BJP candidates in Satara ZP

Kolhapur: BJP's Priya Shinde and Raju Bhosale won the posts of president and vice-president of Satara ZP in the election held on Friday.For the first time, BJP could win the key posts in the ZP despite being short of majority. BJP had won 27 seats in the election held last month. As per the results, NCP won 20 seats and Sena 15. They had clear majority to win the posts. Moreover, one member each of Congress and Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana had registered themselves as part of NCP-Sena combine. Their combined strength came to 37, a clear majority.The voting took place on Friday in the presence of district collector Santosh Patil as presiding officer. The halfway mark came down to 31 after the two NCP members could not remain present for the voting.According to the NCP and Shiv Sena politicians, two NCP members were detained by the police over the case registered against them by son of another NCP member of kidnapping and threat to life. The case was registered at Wai police station on early morning of Friday."The NCP member told police he has not been kidnapped. Despite this, police took two NCP members from the premises of the ZP. Moreover, BJP members forcefully raised the hands of two of our members. The BJP won misusing the police and election authorities. We will raise the issue in the state cabinet and also approach the high court to get stay on the election," said Satara guardian minister Shambhuraj Desai.Desai alleged that he and NCP minister Makarand Patil were circled by many policemen and his left hand was hurt. He was seen later with bandage wrapped around his left hand.According to BJP leaders, three from NCP and two from Shiv Sena supported BJP candidates. Desai and Patil said that they will initiate action against the members under anti-defection law.BJP leader and minister Jaykumar Gore said, "We had the numbers and we had no doubt that our candidates will emerge victorious. The leaders, who are accusing police and administration, themselves hurled abuses at the police and officials present there."District collector Santosh Patil told TOI. "The special meeting to elect the president and vice-president of the ZP was called under my chair on Friday. I worked as presiding officer. The voting took place by raising the hands and each member was asked thrice to confirm their vote. Also, the signatures of the members supporting their respective candidates were taken. There were 63 members present for the meeting. The result was read out loud. I got to know what happened outside the hall only through media. I didn't know what happened outside," said Patil.