MNS abstains from voting in Council poll

Mumbai, Feb 21 (PTI) Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS)abstained from voting in today''s by-election to theLegislative Council from the MLAs quota.

Out of 289 members of the Legislative Assembly, 274legislators voted, Vidhan Bhavan sources said.

The election was necessitated due to the resignationof Shiv Sena MLC Kiran Pawaskar who joined the NCP.

Pawaskar was fielded again by the NCP for the lone seatagainst Sena''s Rahul Narvekar.

Apart from the 13 members of the MNS, CPI (M) MLARajaram Onzre and Shivajirao Kardile of BJP did notparticipate in the polling.

The winning candidate needs to get 145 votes in thehouse of 289 which includes a Governor nominated Anglo-Indiamember Bertrand Muller.

In the 289 member house, Congress has 82 MLAs while NCPhas 62. The ruling coalition has the support of 24independents and other smaller parties.

Narvekar can bank on only 45 MLAs of Shiv Sena and 46 ofthe BJP.

Counting of votes will be taken up later in the day. PTIMR ABC