Shiv Sena to contest Lok Sabha polls in UP, Bihar and Delhi

Mumbai, Mar 21: In a riposte to former BJP chief Nitin Gadkari's recent overtures to MNS chief Raj Thackeray, the

today decided to field its candidates in Uttar Pradesh,

and

for the Lok Sabha elections.

"We have our alliance with BJP in Maharashtra, not in UP. We will strive to expand our party in other parts of the country. Shiv Sena will field 20 candidates in Uttar Pradesh," Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut told reporters.

Similarly, the Uddhav Thackeray-led party will also contest the Lok Sabha elections in Bihar (on 5 seats) and Delhi (7 seats), said Raut. Shiv Sena is said to be miffed due to the recent strain developed in the relations between Uddhav and Gadkari over the latter's luncheon meeting with the MNS chief in Mumbai on March 3.

Meanwhile, Uddhav's son and Yuva Sena president Aaditya Thackeray in a tweet said that Sena would not field candidates against BJP's prime ministerial nominee Modi (who will contest LS election from Varanasi in UP) and saffron party chief Rajnath Singh (contesting from Lucknow).

"Those who even believe such funny rumours, well, I feel sorry for them. Therefore, obv not contesting in Varanasi and Lucknow," Aaditya tweeted.

PTI