Aggrieved Shiv Sena minister's proposal could strain Sena-BJP ties ahead of LS polls

MUMBAI: Disgruntled Shiv Sena minister

Arjun Khotkar

met party chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday with a proposal, which if approved, could strain the Sena-BJP ties ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

Khotkar, who is adamant on contesting the parliamentary elections from Jalna, which is currently held by BJP and is a prestige seat as the sitting MP is Raosaheb Danve, the state president of BJP.


Khotkar said that in the meeting on Saturday, he gave Uddhav Thackeray two options. One is to ask BJP to give up Jalna seat for the Sena or let Sena and BJP both contest the Jalna seat, he said.

"If Sena contests the Jalna seat it will surely win it. I have managed to convince Uddhav Thackeray too. A decision will be taken on it by chief minister and Thackeray soon," said Khotkar after the meeting.

Along with Khotkar, BJP minister Pankaja Munde was also present. She and Khotkar are the election in-charge of

Marathwada

. The meeting was also important as there is a joint rally in Aurangabad on Sunday. There are also rumours that if Khotkar's demands are not met with, he will shift to Congress.

"No decision on joining Congress has been taken," said Khotkar.