Maharashtra CM Thackeray asks Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje to contest Rajya Sabha polls as Shiv Sena candidate

Maharashtra CM Thackeray has reportedly asked Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje to contest the sixth Rajya Sabha seat as a Shiv Sena candidate.

Maharashtra’s chief minister Uddhav Thackeray has reportedly asked Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje to file an application for the sixth Rajya Sabha seat as the official candidate of Shiv Sena. Sambhajiraje is the descendant of Maratha warrior king Shivaji Maharaj.

A meeting was held between chief minister Uddhav Thackeray and Sambhajiraje at the CM’s bungalow on Thursday. According to sources, the two discussed Sambhajiraje’s candidature for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.

Earlier on Thursday, Sambhajiraje announced that he will contest the elections as an independent candidate.

The meeting between chief minister Uddhav Thackeray and Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje at Varsha Bungalow on Thursday raised many eyebrows in Maharashtra's political circles. Sources say CM Uddhav Thackeray has offered Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje to file an application as the official candidate of Shiv Sena for the sixth seat of Rajya Sabha. However, Sambhajiraje made a proposal to contest the election as a candidate backed by Maha Vikas Aghadi.

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CM Uddhav Thackeray has sought time to think over the proposal. The meeting lasted for nearly half an hour.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena has reportedly laid down specific conditions to Sambhajiraje if they are to back his candidature for the Rajya Sabha seat.