Maharashtra Poll Ballotin: Milind Deora flays Cong; Eknath Shinde ropes in Raj Thackeray for campaigning

“By denying Varsha Gaikwad a ticket from Mumbai South Central Lok Sabha seat, Congress and Sena (UBT) display their anti-Dalit stance. While Shiv Sena (UBT) is contesting elections from 21 seats in the state, they have fielded one Dalit candidate only. In contrast, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has announced eight candidates up to now, among whom three are Dalits,” he said. Deora emphasised that the Maha Vikas Aghadi is betraying the Dalit community. “The MVA lacks courage to field Dalit candidates in prominent constituencies,” he said.

Deora said that Sena (UBT) is adopting a hypocritical stance, seeking votes from the Dalit community but unwilling to provide leadership opportunities to the Dalit community. “Varsha Gaikwad faced opposition from specific Congress leaders in Mumbai and Delhi due to her caste when she sought the position of Mumbai Congress President. I am aware that Uddhav Thackeray advised Congress against nominating Varsha Gaikwad for the Mumbai South Central Lok Sabha seat because she is a Dalit,” he added.

Eknath Shinde to rope in Raj Thackeray for campaign

Days after Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray announced his unconditional support to the ruling alliance in the Lok Sabha polls, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena is planning to rope in Raj for campaigning and hold rallies for the ruling alliance in at least three-four districts including Mumbai, Thane, Nashik and Aurangabad. Sena leader and Mumbai South Central MP Rahul Shewale met Raj Thackeray at his residence in Dadar and according to the sources, put forth a request to hold rallies. Shewale said it would be for the first time after 20 years that Raj would be voting for bow and arrow poll symbol of Shiv Sena.