Mumbai: The names of Urmila Matondkar, Raju Shetty, Yashpal Bhinge and Eknath Khadse are likely to be dropped from the list of 12 MLCs sent to the Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari. It is being said that the NCP's Hemant Takle could get a chance this time.
The technical aspects of the appointment of 12 MLCs to the Legislative Council are being examined by the state government. It is examining various aspects like whether a person who contested an election in recent times can be appointed as a nominated member or not.
Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Revenue Minister Balasaheb Thorat had met the Governor on Wednesday. Since then, the state government has started to examine different aspects. The names of the candidates are likely to be changed if a technical issue arises.
Urmila Matondkar had contested against BJP candidate Gopal Shetty from North Mumbai in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections but lost. Raju Shetty had contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Hatkanangale constituency. He was defeated by Shiv Sena candidate Dhairyashil Mane. Yashpal Bhinge had contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections against Ashok Chavan from Nanded constituency and lost as well.
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Eknath Khadse is currently under investigation by the ED. Therefore, his name can be objected to by the Governor. Therefore, Eknath Khadse's name is also likely to be dropped from the list.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has also said that the government is looking into whether the name of the candidate who lost in the recent elections can get into the governor-nominated list. He also said that Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray would take a decision if there was any problem with some of the names in the list.
Hemant Takle is likely to be given a chance by the NCP to replace Raju Shetty. Takle is considered to be close to NCP's Sharad Pawar. Moreover, he has vast experience of the Legislative Council. The party is confident that he will put the views of government strongly in the assembly. Therefore, it is being expressed that his name will be included in the new list.
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