Mumbai: Once again indicating that Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray is likely to be the MVA’s candidate for the legislative council polls, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Wednesday said that if Thackeray becomes an MLC, then MVA will remain together. Raut said everyone wishes that Uddhav becomes an MLC again, but a final decision will be taken by Uddhav himself.“There will be discussions among the three MVA parties on the one seat. Congress and NCP have indicated their stand. If Uddhav Thackeray decides to go to the council, he will have their support. There was a view within the alliance that Thackeray should return to the legislature. The Shiv Sena (UBT) chief should be in the legislature. He is a former chief minister and a key MVA leader. His presence will ensure the alliance remains united,” Raut said.Last week, Raut said that if Uddhav contests the MLC polls, then the elections will be unopposed. “As per my understanding, if former CM Uddhav Thackeray is a candidate again, this election can be held unopposed. Now, we will sit in and decide in 1-2 days what stand to take as MVA, especially from the Shiv Sena (UBT),” Raut said. Political observers said that Raut was hinting that Uddhav could be a candidate for the MLC polls. The Congress has already said that if Thackeray is the candidate, they would back him and extend support.State Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal has said his party expects to contest a legislative council seat in next month’s biennial elections if Thackeray does not seek his renomination.Thackeray’s term is ending in May along with eight other MLCs. If he is to get re-elected as an MLC, MVA will have to vote jointly for him as the Sena (UBT) alone doesn’t have enough numbers to get him elected.The biennial elections for nine seats of the council have been scheduled for May 12, the Election Commission of India announced on Thursday.The tenure of nine MLCs is due to end on May 13, 2026, necessitating the elections. Those set to retire are Sanjay Kishanrao Kenekar, Neelam Diwakar Gorhe, Uddhav Thackeray, Sandeep Diwakar Joshi, Dadarao Yadavrao Keche, Amol Ramkrushna Mitkari, Ranjitsinh Vijaysinh Mohite-Patil, Rajesh Dhondiram Rathod and Shashikant Jaywantrao Shinde.
