Shiv Sena nominates Priyanka Chaturvedi for Rajya Sabha

Shiv Sena on Thursday nominated party deputy leader Priyanka Chaturvedi for Rajya Sabha. Chaturvedi, who joined Shiv Sena before Lok Sabha elections last year, is yet to file nomination. The last date to file nomination is March 13. 

Seven Rajya Sabha seats in Maharashtra are scheduled to go to the polls. Of the seven seats, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government seems confident of winning on four seats. 

The Shiv Sena and Congress have decided to contest on one seat each from their party for the Rajya Sabha. However, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has decided to go ahead and contest the Rajya Sabha elections on two seats. 

Earlier, it was being speculated that the Shiv Sena might offer the candidature for Rajya Sabha to senior party leaders – either Chandrakant Khaire or Divakar Raote. However, the Shiv Sena had sidelined the senior leaders and has offered the candidature to Priyanka Chaturvedi. 

On April 29 last year, Priyanka Chaturvedi had joined Shiv Sena after leaving Congress. Chaturvedi was promoted to deputy leader post in Shiv Sena. 

Chaturvedi is said to be a close aide to Maharashtra Tourism Minister and Shiv Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray. In the party, it was discussed that the preference should be given to senior leaders. However, the party went ahead with Chaturvedi’s name. 

Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has nominated three candidates for Rajya Sabha from Maharashtra including Udyanraje Bhosale, Ramdas Athawale and Bhagwat Karad. 

Reacting to the decision, senior Shiv Sena leader Chandrakant Khaire expressed his disappointment stating that the party saw her work but not his. 

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“I received many offers (to change party) but didn’t leave. I work with late Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray and now I am working with Uddhav Thackeray. I will never leave this party,” Khaire stated. 

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