Damage control: Sena talks to rebels

CBD BELAPUR: The Shiv Sena, which has been hit severely by rebellion within it ranks over seat allotment, is on a damage- control mode.

The party has been holding talks with dissidents, who have filed nomination papers as Independents. The party, stung by nepotism charge which it has always accused the NCP of, says it was forced to give more than one member of a family ticket due to their electoral merit.

The party leader in the city Vijaya Nahata, who is t he deputy leader of Shiv Sena, addressed a press conference on Thursday along with senior leaders Namdeo Bhagat, Manohar Gaikhe and Vithal More.

The party office in Vashi had earlier this week witnessed unruly scenes with party workers alleging that money had changed hands in allotment of tickets. Nahata said: “We understand their feelings and have hence spoken to them. They will be withdrawing their nominations as Independent candidates.”

On the allegation by former Shiv Sena leader Parshuram Thakur, who joined the NCP, that Nahata had taken money for tickets, Nahata said: “He is a barking dog. He was an NCP stooge in our party who leaked all information. We knew about it and so refused ticket to him.”

Reacting to allegation of nepo- tism, wherein up to 27 seats are reported to have been given to family members of corporators, Nahata said, “We have been forced to give tickets based on the electoral merit to such candidates. We are not giving them posts,” he said.

COUNTER ALLEGATION

Saying that Vijay Nahata had demanded money from him for giving a seat from Kopri area, Parshuram Thakur stated that it is Nahata who needs to get a mental checkup and alleged that he has sold Shiv Sena.

Thakur said: “He has destroyed the party. Almost 70 per cent Shiv Sena leaders have rebelled because of him.”

BACHCHAN KUMAR Sena leaders (from left) Manohar Gaikhe, Vijay Nahata and Namdeo Bhagat.