MLA skipping Raote address hints at rift in Sena

KOLHAPUR

: Shiv Sena leader and minister in the state government

Diwakar Raote

on Tuesday said party workers should focus on the work done by the party instead of criticising opposition parties. City MLA Rajesh Kshirsagar and his supporters abstained from the meeting, throwing into sharp focus the rift between the two factions of the Sena, one led by Kshirsagar and the other by Vijay Devane, the rural face of the party.

Raote addressed meetings with the party workers. Sena is contesting Kolhapur Lok Sabha seat under the seat-sharing arrangement with alliance partner BJP. The campaign has begun, with Sanjay Mandlik considered Sena candidate against NCP's

Dhananjay Mahadik

, also sitting Member of Parliament.

Sena is also likely to pitch a candidate for neighbouring Hatkanangale constituency against Swabhimani Paksha leader and sitting MP Raju Shetti.

Raote said, "Party workers should highlight what the Sena has done to benefit people. I expect each Sena worker to take the work we did to the voter and appeal for votes. Opposition parties such as Congress and NCP are making baseless allegations, and we will reply to those in time." Senior party functionaries are focusing on coordination among party workers at the booth level.

Meanwhile city MLA Rajesh Kshirsagar and his supporters stayed away, and party leaders explained that he could not attend for personal reasons. Sources indicate that Kshirsagar may not campaign against NCP's Mahadik.

"Mahadik has always supported Kshirsagar in the assembly election and Mandlik does not have a visible presence in the city. Kshirsagar does not want to show himself against Mahadik, and might have stayed away," a party source said, asking not to be named. Kshirsagar was not available for comments.