A big shot in the hand for Shiv Sena, the ruling ally in the MVA government in Maharashtra Dadra and Nagar Haveli won by-elections Tuesday is the party’s first election victory outside the state.
Kalaben Delkar, widow of former MP Mohan Delkar, who was killed under mysterious circumstances earlier this year, won from the Union Territory by a huge margin of over 50,000 votes. He defeated BJP candidate Mahesh Gavit. Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut is believed to have played a key role in the party’s first victory in elections outside Maharashtra.
Talking to CNN-News18 Raut said, “This is very important for Shiv Sena. We have national aspirations. We want to expand our footprint. We are the dominant party in Maharashtra. But we want to establish ourselves outside the state. Dadra and Nagar Haveli is just the beginning.”
Voting for the seat, which is part of the union territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, took place on October 30. Mohan Delkar, who won the 2019 election by defeating the then BJP MP Natubhai Patel by a narrow margin. Out of 9,001 votes, he was allegedly hanged in a Mumbai hotel on February 22, 2021. He has been a member of both Congress and BJP at different times of his political career.
Following the initial trends, Raut tweeted: “First step outside Maharashtra, giant leap from Dadra Nagar Haveli to Delhi! #Let’s go to Delhi.”
Raut’s efforts behind the victory were also acknowledged by Aaditya Thackeray, who tweeted: “A special mention for Mrs. Kalaben Delkar ji’s resolve to contest and win elections to give voice to her constituency. And of course for the efforts of @rautsanjay61 ji’s Anil Desai ji, Abhinav Delkar & all those who campaigned for @ShivSena in the election. “
After the mysterious death of Mohan Delkar in a Mumbai hotel, his widow and son had met politicians from Maharashtra during the assembly session. Shortly after the bypolls were announced, there was speculation whether Kalaben Delkar would contest on a BJP ticket. Since then Raut and some other leaders were in touch with the family. A few months back, Sanjay Raut played a key role in getting her inducted into the Shiv Sena.
Kalaben’s son Abhinav Delkar did a lot of ground work ahead of the election which also saw the family get sympathy votes for Mohan Delkar’s untimely demise. Raut said Shiv Sena is now eyeing the upcoming Goa elections in which the party will contest 22 seats.
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