Ahead of crucial election to the six Rajya Sabha seats on June 10, leader of opposition Devendra Fadnavis (BJP) was on Sunday tested positive and in home isolation. However, some of the BJP leaders were worried whether Fadnavis will be recovered and able to cast his vote on June 10 as the party has fielded a third nominee against Shiv Sena’s second nominee. There are 7 candidates in the fray comprising BJP (3), Shiv Sena (2) and NCP and Congress one each.
Fadnavis in a tweet said, ‘’ I have tested COVID 19 positive and in home isolation. Taking medication and treatment as per the doctor’s advice. Those who have come in contact with me are advised to get Covid tests done. Take care everyone.’’ This is the second time Fadnavis has been tested COVID 19 positive after October 2020.
Fadnavis had gone to Latur where he attended the party function and later was to visit Solapur. However, he was running temperature and had to cut short his visit and returned to Mumbai on Saturday.
Fadnavis on Sunday attended online meeting with poll in charge and union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnav, state unit chief Chandrakant Patil and party legislator Ashish Shelar to decide the poll strategy for the victory of third nominee Dhananjay Mahadik who is pitted against Shiv Sena’s second candidate Sanjay Pawar.
A senior BJP leader admitted that party leaders and members have wished Fadnavis speedy recovery as he has been driving force. They hoped that Fadnavis will be able to cast his vote on June 10 as the party is confident of luring the independents, smaller parties and disgruntled legislators from the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi.
‘’At today’s meeting BJP’s blueprint for RS strategy was finalised. BJP’s third nominee will win while Shiv Sena candidate Sanjay Pawar will certainly lose,’’ said Shelar.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackray will address the meeting of MVA legislators and independents and smaller parties supporting the state government on June 7 at Trident hotel where these legislators will be housed ahead of polling on June 10.
Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut and Congress Minister Satej Patil have claimed that BJP’s third nominee will lose against Shiv Sena candidate Sanjay Pawar.
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