BJP maintains claim over Chimur assembly constituency by-election

Mumbai, Sep 16 (UNI) Maharashtra BJP president Nitin Gadkari today maintained his party's claim over the Chimur seat, where the legislative assembly by-election will be held soon.

The by-poll for the constituency was necessitated following the resignation of Vijay Vadettiwar, a Shiv Sena MLA who joined the Congress.

Talking to reporters here, Mr Gadkari said his party will hold talks on the issue with its ally the Shiv Sena on September 20, and together they will try to resolve the issue amicably.

He said an MP and three MLAs were elected on the BJP ticket from the constituency. It also has a hold on the local bodies in the constituency. Despite this, the seat was given to the Sena in 2004 after the then Leader of the Opposition Narayan Rane inisted upon it and the BJP conceded to his demand after they exchanged it with another seat.

Justifying his party's claim, BJP leader said now Mr Rane is in Congress and Mr Vadettiwar has also joined the Congress. In such a situation, the proposed BJP candidate Dr Ramesh Gajabe would definitely win this seat.

He said in Daryapur by-election, his party is supporting the Sena and both the seats could be won by the alliance.

Mr Gadkari rejected the idea that his party was laying the claim on the seat in order to bag the post of Leader of the Opposition, which is currently held by the Sena. The Sena has 56 MLAs, while the BJP has 54.

''The post would go to the party which has more number of MLAs,'' he added.

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