BJP’s Withdrawal From Andheri By-Election Paves Way For Rituja Latke To Be Elected Unopposed
Mumbai, 17th October 2022: BJP has withdrawn from the Andheri East Assembly by-election. BJP has announced withdrawal of Murji Patel’s candidature. This has paved the way for Thackeray group candidate Rituja Latke to be elected unopposed. This is a big relief for the Thackeray group.
When the struggle between Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and BJP was going on over this election, MNS President Raj Thackeray’s letter to Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis took a turn. After that, the events started fast, and finally, it was decided to hold this election uncontested. State President of BJP, Chandrashekhar Bawankule gave information regarding this while talking to the media in Nagpur.
When asked, “Will Murji Patel fight as an independent?” Bawankule said, “Murji Patel will not contest as an independent. Once a BJP candidate is elected, he does not go against the party’s decision. He was the candidate of the BJP and alliance. There is no need to have this doubt about them”.
BJP’s Mumbai President Ashish Shelar met Raj Thackeray on Sunday and requested him to support the BJP candidate. However, Raj Thackeray rejected the BJP’s request and on the contrary, made a dilemma for the BJP by withdrawing from this election and requesting them to support Latke. Raj Thackeray had sent a letter to Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis urging him not to contest Andheri Assembly by-elections.
‘’Ramesh Latke was a good worker. His progress started from the post of branch head. I am a witness to his political journey. Ramesh Latke’s soul will truly rest in peace with his wife becoming an MLA after his demise’’, said Thackeray. Because of this, Raj Thackeray had also said in the letter that BJP should not contest this election and should see that his wife gets elected.
After Raj Thackeray’s letter, Fadnavis made it clear that the decision will be taken keeping everyone’s opinions in mind. Many leaders including Ashish Shelar, and Andheri by-election candidate Murji Patel were present in this meeting held at Fadnavis’ house on Sunday night. Ashish Shelar and Murji Patel had informed Fadnavis that the local BJP leadership was ready to contest the seat.
After this, a meeting of BJP leaders was held at Devendra Fadnavis’s ‘Meghdoot’ bungalow in the morning. After this meeting, it was decided to withdraw from the election. Today is the last day to file election applications.
