In the present election environment after BJP allies with Shiv Sena its effect can be seen as on Wednesday BJP dropped its sitting MP Kirit Somaiya from Mumbai north-east constituency, his name was opposed by Shiv Sena. This comes as a blow to somaiya since he had already started preparation for contesting the seats.
On Mumbai, north-east constituency Shiv Sena had been bitterly opposed to Somaiya’s candidature. The BJP’s decision to replace him with BMC corporator Manoj Kotak who is known Udhav Thackrey’s baiter to keep its hindutva ally in good humour. Shiv Sena lawmaker Sunil Raut said “Somaiya has not maintained any ties with the people of his Constituency. We see thackrey’s residence (Matoshree) as a temple. But if he makes allegations against thackrey as Mafia of bandra than no one should even try to give him a ticket”.
Somaiya is the only BJP MP to be dropped by the party which is contesting three out of total six seats. Shiv sena is contesting in the rest three (Mumbai south, Mumbai North west and Mumbai south central ) constituency as per seats shared between the two parties.
Source in the BJP said that a section of party workers did not want Somaiya to contest as he has kept a distance with them. There was unrest against him since he supported the realignment of ghatkopar-kasarvadavali metro lines which passes through residential areas, instead of running it close to Eastern express highway.
Mr Tawde BJP MLA from Borivli said that Shiv Sena had nothing to do with the move to replace Somaiya.