Maharashtra: Shiv Sena must allow BJP to field candidate from Aurangabad Lok Sabha seat, says Union minister

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Union Minister Bhagwat Karad on Friday said that the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena must let the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) field its candidate from Aurangabad Lok Sabha seat as the split in the undivided Shiv Sena had weakened the party, reported the PTI.

Undivided Shiv Sena's Chandrakant Khaire had emerged victorious from Aurangabad four times but he lost to All India Majlis e Ittehadul Muslimeen's (AIMIM) Imtiaz Jaleel in the 2019 general elections.

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"Whether it is the rural or urban parts, everyone wants BJP to field a candidate from Aurangabad for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The booth chiefs of BJP are working day and night to ensure victory," Bhagwat Karad told reporters, according to the PTI.

"The split in the Shiv Sena has weakened it. Now it is divided into two groups under Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Uddhav Thackeray (after the split in June last year)," he claimed.

Queried on whether he was a contender for the Aurangabad Lok Sabha seat, Bhagwat Karad said, "I am willing."

(with PTI inputs)