BJP claims on Guhagar-Ratnagiri & Rajapur

Sena may field Bhaskar Jadhav from Chiplun

Mumbai: After the Gharwapasi of former Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) minister, Bhaskar Jadhav in Shiv Sena this week, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has staked claim on Guhagar assembly seat constituency which Jadhav represents and urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to urge Sena to leave this seat for the BJP which had won the seat at least seven times in the past. At the same time, the BJP has also claimed on Rajapur and Ratnagiri seats which are traditional bastions of the Sena.

Jadhav, two times NCP legislator from Guhagar recently joined Shiv Sena in presence of party president Uddhav Thackeray. Jadhav had earlier represented Chiplun in 1995 and 1999. At present, Sada Chavan of Sena has been representing Chiplun seat since 2009.

Dr Vinay Natu, BJP leader and former legislator from Guhagar said the party will stake claim on Guhagar. “There are five assembly seats in Ratnagiri. Of which three represents by Sena and two by NCP. If, BJP will not get Guhagar, the party’s presence will vanish from the district,” said Dr Natu. Dr Natu had represented Guhagar seat three times in 1995, 1999 and 2004. Whereas, his father Dr Shridhar Natu had represented the same constituency for four times in 1972, 1977, 1985 and 1990.

Dr Natu held meeting of party workers on Friday to decide on strategy. He said that party workers are of the opinion party should contest Guhagar seat to keep the party presence alive. “We met CM Fadnavis and conveyed our stand before him. He heard us and I have full faith in him that he will consider party workers concerns,” said Dr Natu and added that Bhaskar Jadhav’s entry in Shiv Sena will not have any effect on our claim on the seat.

According to Sena insider, Jadhav is likely to field from Chiplun to avoid difference with BJP. Sena may ask Sada Chavan not to contest the assembly poll to accommodate Jadhav. Meanwhile, Prasad Lad, state vice president of BJP and party spokesperson said, BJP will definitely contest Guhagar. Apart from this, BJP will stake claim on Rajapur and Ratnagiri seats. “We are expecting at least two seats out of these three seats,” said Lad.

Rajan Salvi of Sena representing Rajapur since last two terms. Whereas Uday Samant representing Ratnagiri since last three terms. Samant was selected Ratnagiri as Sena member in 2014 whereas he was NCP legislator in 2009 and 2004 from the same seat.

According to Lad, CM Fadnavis and Sena president Thackeray would take decision about seat sharing in Ratnagiri district on September 23. He also claimed Fadnavis and Thackeray would announce alliance officially on September 19.

MLAs in Ratnagiri Districts, party and year they represented

1.Chiplun – Bhaskar Jadhav – NCP – 1995, 1999

Sada chavan – Shiv Sena 2009 2014

1. Guhagar – Bhaskar Jadhav – NCP 2014, 2009

Dr Vinay Natu – BJP – 1995, 1999, 2004

Dr Shridhar Natu – 1972, 1977, 1985, 1990

1. Ratnagiri – Uday Samant – Shiv Sena 2014, NCP 2009, 2004
2. Rajapur – Rajan Salvi – Shiv Sena – 2014, 2009
3. Dapoli – Sanjay Kadam NCP 2014, Suryakant Dalvi – Shiv Sena – 2009, 2004, 1999, 1990