Nagpur: Mahayuti alliance has decided to leave the Badnera constituency in Amravati district for its ally Ravi Rana. This has laid the foundation for BJP leader Tushar Bhartiya to rebel and most likely contest as an independent.
On Friday night, Rana met deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis to discuss the electoral strategy. While sources confirm that discussions happened over Badnera, Rana denied the same. Speaking to TOI, Rana said, "Mahayuti has left the Badnera seat for me, and Fadnavis has confirmed it. But on Friday night, our discussion was about the Melghat seat. I urged them to give a chance to Kewal Kale from Melghat. Now, his name has come in the list."
Rana getting Badnera seat within Mahayuti quota, has left Bhartiya camp unhappy. Sources close to Tushar Bhartiya said the BJP member may go solo. "Tushar won't back down, that is for sure. He has nurtured this constituency, and the party has considerable presence here. It is almost guaranteed that Bhartiya will file nomination as an independent," said the source.
Rana refused to comment about Tushar Bhartiya. "I don't want to say anything because for me only the people of my constituency matter, and I will focus my energy on serving them," said Rana.
When specifically asked about Badnera, a seat which has won three consecutive times, Rana said "I am confident about my chances as the love and affection of voters is with me."
The Badnera MLA will file his nomination as an independent candidate on October 29. "I am busy travelling for filing of nominations of other MLAs, hence I kept it for 29th," Rana said.
Rana's wife Navneet is a BJP member and had contested the Lok Sabha polls earlier this year on the party symbol.