Bombay:
A bypoll in Maharashtra has raised cross-party calls in support of the candidate, Rutuja Latke, who is fighting after her husband, Shiv Sena MLA Ramesh Latke, died earlier this year.
Rutuja Latke, a candidate of Uddhav Thackeray’s Sena faction, is fighting Murji Patel of the BJP from her husband’s Andheri (East) constituency. One of the first leaders to support her was Raj Thackeray, Uddhav Thackeray’s estranged cousin.
Maharashtra leader Navnirman Sena wrote in an unexpected gesture to BJP leader and Deputy Prime Minister Devendra Fadnavis urging him to withdraw the candidate from his party so that Rutuja Latke could win the bypolls unopposed.
Hours later, an MLA from the rival Eknath Shinde camp also wrote to the Chief Minister that the BJP should not run a candidate against Ms Latke in tribute to her late husband. In his letter to Mr Shinde last night, MLA Pratap Sarnaik said that all parties should support Ms Latke and let her win the election.
Today is the last day to submit nominations for the Andheri East bypoll on November 3.
Earlier Sunday, Raj Thackeray wrote to Devendra Fadnavis: “The late Ramesh Latke’s wife, Rutuja Latke, is contesting the election after her husband’s death. I witnessed Ramesh Latke’s journey from an employee to MLA. His wife who died after his death becoming an MLA would be a tribute to the departed soul.”
In the letter addressed to “Dear friend Devendra”, Raj Thackeray also said, “I think by doing this we pay tribute to the late representative of the people. Doing so is also in line with the great culture of our Maharashtra. I hope you will accept my request.”
In response to his letter, Mr Fadnavis said he could not make the decision alone and that the matter should be discussed with senior party leaders and Prime Minister Shinde.
NCP chief Sharad Pawar also called on the BJP to withdraw his candidate.
“The term for the new member (MLA) is only one and a half years. The survey is being held because of the unfortunate death of Ramesh Latke. His contribution should be taken into account,” said Pawar.
The Uddhav Thackeray faction has accused the Eknath Shinde faction of trying to sabotage their candidate ahead of the election by influencing Mumbai’s civil society body to fail to respond to her resignation.
Ms. Latke, who worked as a clerk at the Brihanmumbai Corporation, was unable to submit her nomination to the bypolls until after a court ordered the civil authority to accept her resignation.
BJP candidate Murji Patel, who submitted his nomination last week, has said he is ready to withdraw from the race if the party asks him to.