Nagpur: Just ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections in Maharashtra, the ruling Shiv Sena has moved its MLAs in a resort. As per sources, MLAs from other ruling parties—NCP and Congress, too, will be moved to a resort.
The battle still remains intense as chief minister Uddhav Thackeray met independent candidates in an attempt to win the sixth seat. The opposition—BJP turned down an offer from the ruling three-tiered government to avoid elections.
There are 29 independent and smaller parties, of which eight are already supporting the Thackeray-led Sena. The others are yet to disclose their choices.
After almost two decades, Rajya Sabha elections are taking place in Maharashtra. The last election was held in 1998. Before this, the RS polls were usually held unopposed. Sena currently has 55 MLAs, Congress has 44 and NCP has 54. Of these numbers, Anil Deshmukh and Nawab Malik are in jail.
Sena MLAs have been shifted to Retreat hotel in Malad. The shifting of MLAs to resort is being seen as a sign of concern about horse-trading by the BJP ahead of elections. Elections are due on 6 Rajya Sabha seats from Maharashtra on June 10.
