NCP supports Congress candidate Madhu Jain

Mumbai, Oct 16 (UNI) NCP today extended its support to Congress candidate Madhu Jain for the by-elections of Legislative Council, scheduled to be held on October 23.

An announcement to this effect was made by NCP spokesman Madan Bafna here.

The seat got vacant in July this year after the Council passed a resolution to remove BJP MLC Navanath Awhad, who was absent for a long time as he was lying comatose.

The election will be held on October 23 and the results will be declared on the same day.

Shiv Sena-BJP has fielded Suresh Havare, a prominent builder in Navi Mumbai, as an independent candidate with a view to make a dent in NCP vote bank.

Ms Jain is sister-in-law of Sureshdada Jain, an NCP MLA, and wife of former mayor Ramesh Jain. NCP's support to Ms Jain has come at a crucial time as Suresh Jain is unhappy with the party high command.

However, with NCP announcing its support to Ms Jain, her chances of winning the elections are more.

BJP leader Gopinath Munde had claimed that Mr Havare will get support from other parties and would give a tough fight to Congress-NCP.

UNI JM SSS LS CS2118