Tussle unlikely for Rajya Sabha elections in Maharashtra

Mumbai, Mar 10 (UNI) The biennial elections for six Rajya Sabha seats from Maharashtra, scheduled for March 28, are unlikely to see any tusssle with the Congress-NCP combine sure to win two seats each, while the Shiv Sena and the BJP will have to be content with one each.

However, the Sena-BJP alliance, which will have about 30 surplus votes after electing their two candidates, may try to field a seventh candidate and Sena MLC Kanhaiyalal Gidwani has already thrown his hat in the ring.

''I have made a request to Shiv hierarchy that the party should field its second and alliance's third candidate. It is for them to take decision'', said Mr Gidwani, who is known from hopping from one party to other. He was earlier in the Congress, Janata Dal and Samajwadi Janata party.

The six Rajya Sabha members from Maharashtra who are retiring, include Mr Yusuf Khan alias Dilip Kumar (Congress), R S Gavai (RPI-with Congress support), Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel and Vasant Chavan (both NCP), Prof Balvant Apte (BJP) and Ram Jethmalani (Inddependent, supported by Sena).

Mr Chavan got only a one year term, having been elected after Mr Sanjay Nirupam, who quit Shiv Sena, vacated his seat in the Upper House.

Former Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi will be the Sena candidate, according to party sources, while the BJP is likely to renominate Mr Apte.

Against the 42 votes, needed for victory, the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance has got additional 28 votes and with the support of splinter groups, their tally goes upto 32. Mr Gidwani's calculations are based on these extra votes.

While the Congress is likely to field Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, there could be a tussle for the second seat.

NCP is almost certain to renominate Mr Patel and Mr Chavan.

The party position in Assembly is Congress (73), NCP (71), Shiv Sena (58), BJP (54), Jan Surajya Party (four), CPI(M) (three), PWP (two), BBM, RPI(A), SBP and ABS one each, besides 19 Independents.

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