Sena (UBT) stayed out of Nashik MLC poll over poor winnability, says Sanjay Raut

Nashik: Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut on Wednesday said the party decided against contesting the Nashik MLC election due to weak winning prospects, calling it a one-sided contest.

The party would have entered the fray if it had the backing of at least 100 voters, Raut said while speaking to the media during his visit to Nashik, which comes amid internal differences within the party’s Nashik unit, with some members favouring participation in the MLC poll and others supporting the leadership’s decision to stay out. “Legislative council polls differ from municipal, assembly and Lok Sabha elections, as they are driven largely by numerical strength and financial clout,” he said.

Raut said the decision was taken after discussions with party chief Uddhav Thackeray. “There was little enthusiasm within the organisation to contest the election,” the Rajya Sabha member said, adding that Thackeray would take a final call on whether to support any independent candidate in the June 18 voting.

He reiterated that the Eknath Shinde-led Sena remained Sena (UBT)’s “number one enemy”. Further, speaking about the Shinde faction’s strength, Raut said it lacked a solid grassroots base in Maharashtra and depended heavily on money power, which he claimed was generated through contracts and corrupt practices. “Such politics should be curbed at all levels, in line with his party’s stand,” he said, while clarifying that BJP was not entirely unblemished either.

Referring to BJP rebels showing interest in contesting, Raut said such developments could financially benefit voters and corporators.

During the visit, Raut also met party office bearers and reviewed various issues.