Sena confident of winning 100 seats in Mumbai civic polls

Mumbai, Jan 11 (UNI) Shiv Sena today exuded confidence that it would win at least 100 seats in the forthcoming Mumbai Municipal Corporation Election to be held on February one.

''We will win at least 100 seats in the civic body elections,'' former Lok Sabha Speaker and party spokesperson Manohar Joshi told UNI.

Refuting former Sena leader and present state revenue minister Narayan Rane's claim of defeating Sena in 32 constituencies, Mr Joshi said, ''Narayan Rane does not have a party of his own and if Congress manages to get 32 seats, I am happy.'' Referring to the recent clashes between Sena and Raj Thackeray- led MNS workers in neighbouring Thane, Mr Joshi added that in democracy, there was no need to get into physical fights and differences should be sorted out through verbal discussions.

Interestingly, Amol Kirtikar, son of Sena MLA Gajanan Kirtikar, was today refused election ticket for the upcoming civic polls here.

He approached for ward number 47, Aarey Colony at Goregaon in North Mumbai, which was a reserved seat for women earlier, and now has become a general seat.

Mr Joshi said Amol has confirmed that he will continue to work with Sena only and has no plans to quit the party.

Mr Joshi added that the seat sharing between Sena and BJP were in final stages and the list could be announced in a day or two.

UNI