Thane: Rebels who have broken away from the Shiv Sena and BJP following denial of tickets and contesting as independents have apparently unsettled the alliance partners in Thane, prompting the local unit to jointly issue a disclaimer urging voters to support only candidates contesting on the official party symbols.A letter, signed by Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske and BJP city President Sandeep Lele, was released late Sunday.
Several city seats, particularly in Naupada-Kopri, Majiwada-Manpada, and Vartak Nagar wards, saw rebel candidates from both Sena and BJP contesting as independents after being denied tickets after the alliance was finalised for Thane. Sena and BJP rebels contested in their strongholds as independents and challenged official nominees.“Many loyalists and aspirants were unhappy with the alliance and unyielding despite senior leaders’ efforts. Their presence was initially dismissed, but with election day approaching, concerns are rising among the leaders, prompting the parties to play safe and alert voters to choose candidates contesting on party symbols only,” said an alliance party member.
