In a setback to the Shiv Sena, its sitting MP from Maval in western Maharashtra Gajanan Babar resigned from the party, after he was denied a ticket to contest the lok Sabha polls. According to sources, he is likely to join Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).
Soon after the Shiv Sena nominated Shrirang Bharne as its candidate from Mava lok Sabha constituency, Babar announced his resignation from the party.
Babar, who had been lobbying for re-nomination, was confident that the Sena would field him once again. However, the Sena leadership ignored Babar’s claim for a party ticket and decided to field Bharne in his place. Babar said that he was quitting the Sena, after the party decided not to re-nominate him as candidate for the lS polls.