It is not going to be a smooth ride for chief minister Prithviraj Chavan in the byelections for a legislative council seat, with the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance deciding to field a candidate against the CM. The EC issued a notification for the byelection, which is expected to be held on May 5 and the result announced on the same day.
Maharashtra BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari said that the ruling parties in the state have been treating the Opposition with contempt so there was no question of letting Mr Chavan get elected unopposed. “The current situation is not one where we have a cordial relationship with the government. If the government does not treat the Opposition with respect, they will also not get any respect from the Opposition,” he said.