Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar : Shiv Sena minister Sanjay Shirsat on Thursday announced that his party will withdraw support to NCP candidate Satish Chavan in the Aurangabad Graduates Constituency election, citing alleged cross-voting by NCP politicians in the Amravati Division Teachers Constituency contest.




The move follows allegations that NCP MLC Sanjay Khodke and MLA Sulbha Khodke have openly backed Vidarbha Madhyamik Shikshak Sangh candidate Dilip Kadu against sitting MLC Kiran Sarnaik , the Shiv Sena nominee in the Amravati seat.




“It is our clear stand that we will not support NCP candidate Satish Chavan. While we are extending our support and toiling hard for his victory, they are fielding a candidate against our candidate. This is not in keeping with the principles of alliance,” Shirsat said.




Sena’s decision could hurt the prospects of Chavan, a three-term sitting MLC who has represented the constituency since 2008. There was no immediate reaction from the Chavan camp till Thursday evening.




The Aurangabad Graduates Constituency election is already witnessing a three-cornered contest between Chavan, Pratapsinh Patil of NCP (SP) and Dilip Ghuge of Shiv Sena (UBT). The MVA, too, is grappling with internal differences, with Ghuge staying in the race despite senior NCP functionaries indicating that he would withdraw.