Mumbai: In a bid to keep their MLAs in the fold, the Congress and NCP met on Wednesday to discuss the Legislative Council bypoll on Thursday. The bypoll is being held for the seat vacated by rebel Congress leader Narayan Rane, who quit the party in September. On October 1, Mr. Rane formed the Maharashtra Swabhiman Paksha, saying he would support the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Initially, it was rumoured that the BJP would field him in the bypoll, but the party chose former NCP leader Prasad Lad instead. The Congress, meanwhile, fielded former Solapur MLA Dilip Mane. The NCP has extended support to Mr. Mane.
The winner will need the votes of at least 145 MLAs in the 288-member Legislative Assembly, where the BJP has 122 members, followed by Shiv Sena (63), Congress (42) and NCP (41). The Sena will most likely be supporting Mr. Lad, after the BJP’s assurance that they are not fielding Mr. Rane in the election. Mr Lad is likely to get the Sena and BJP votes. Sources in the BJP said it’s possible that Congress and NCP may cross-vote. The BJP has claimed it will get two to three extra votes.
The meeting called by Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president Ashok Chavan and senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar was to avoid cross-voting, and MLAs were instructed to vote for the Congress candidate. “Disciplinary action will be taken against those flouting the party diktat,” a senior NCP leader said.
