Mumbai: The BJP has decided not to field a candidate in the by-election to the Andheri (East) Assembly constituency. Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule said in Nagpur, “The BJP has decided not to contest the Andheri East bypoll. Murji Patel, who filed his nomination on behalf of the party, will now withdraw the papers. ’
Bawankule, however, claimed that he would have won if he contested the election. Today is the last day for withdrawal of nominations for the november 3 by-election.
The by-election from Andheri East seat has necessitated the death of Shiv Sena MLA Ramesh Latke in May this year. The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction has fielded Ramesh Latke’s wife Rituja Latke.
NCP chief Sharad Pawar had recently demanded that Rituja Latke be elected unopposed.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray had also urged Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis not to field its candidate as a tribute to late Ramesh Latke.