Kin of late BJP MP Vanaga on their way to join the Shiv Sena

Disappointed after having being ignored by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Raosaheb Danve, state president of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), family members of late Chintaman Vanaga, Member of Parliament of BJP, met Uddhav Thackeray, president of Shiv Sena on Thursday night. However, according to a Sena insider, the party has decided not to field a candidate in the by-poll of Palghar Lok Sabha constituency against BJP.

Vanaga died in December last year due to cardiac attack in New Delhi. The by-poll for Palghar and Bhandara-Gondia will be hold on May 28. According to an unofficial poll pact between Sena and BJP, they will contest Bhandara-Gondia and Palghar respectively and will not contest against each other.

Shrinivas and Praful, son and Jayahree, wife of late Chintaman Vanaga met Thackeray and show keen interest to join the Sena. Shrinavas Vanaga said his father had contributed a lot for the party during his 35 years of political career. “My father continued working for the BJP even when the party gains only two votes,” said Shrinivas.

Jayashree Vanga alleged the party forgot contribution of her husband. “I tried to meet Fadnavis and Danve, but they refused to meet us,” she alleged.

BJP insider said, “It is question where Vanaga won the 2014 LS poll on his own credibility and what was the role of BJP. The family members of Vanaga.”

“On April 14, when Mohan Bhagawat, chief of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh was in Dahanu for mega Hindu rally, nobody from the BJP and RSS leaders named Vanaga or recalled his contribution. It was clear indication that BJP has ignored Vanaga,” said BJP insider. According to the source, BJP may field Vishnu Savara, minister for tribal development as party candidate in Palghar LS by-poll.