BJP concedes to Raj Thackeray appeal, not to contest Andheri (East)

Mumbai: BJP on Monday announced its decision to withdraw from the electoral contest for the Andheri (East) seat here, paving the way for Rituja Ramesh Latke of Shiv Sena (Thackeray group) to get elected to the Maharashtra Assembly unopposed.
Notably, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray had on Sunday written a letter to state Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, urging BJP not to contest in upcoming Andheri (East) by-poll.
Following BJP’s announcement, NCP state president Jayant Patil today took a dig at the ruling party, saying that this decision is actually a wisdom suggested to BJP very late.
Criticizing BJP, he further said they were allegedly resorting to various tactics for this election, such as not accepting the resignation of Rituja Ramesh Latke and forcing her to go to court unwillingly, were all very hurtful and painful.
Apart from this, freezing of the party symbol and name was also done for this election only, he continued.
Patil further said the tradition of Maharashtra is different from this, where the seat is possibly not contested when there are few days left for the election.
The NCP state chief claimed that BJP would have suffered a big defeat in this election and said with today’s decision, unnecessary things have been avoided.
Patil heartily welcomed the decision to elect Rituja Latke unopposed. (UNI)