The Shiv Sena has garnered support for the upcoming assembly poll from unlikely quarters an association representing north Indians in Mumbai.
<img title="Santosh Singh (second from right) will contest on from Chandivli constituency on a Shiv Sena ticket" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2014/dec/Santosh-Singh.jpg" alt="Santosh Singh (second from right) will contest on from Chandivli constituency on a Shiv Sena ticket" />Santosh Singh (second from right) will contest on from Chandivli constituency on a Shiv Sena ticket
The Uttar Bhartiya Sangh, with nearly 10 lakh members, has proclaimed support for the party that hasn&rsquo;t been too kind to it in the past, after the Sena doled out an assembly ticket to the president&rsquo;s son. Santosh Singh, the son of the body&rsquo;s current president, R N Singh, will contest on a Sena ticket from Chandivli constituency.
Barely five months ago, the association had sided with the Congress and NCP during the Lok Sabha elections. The sudden proclivity for a party that has lashed out against north Indians in the state several times in the past has raised eyebrows among the Sangh&rsquo;s members and supporters.
A &lsquo;new&rsquo; Sena
However, if the body&rsquo;s president is to be believed, the assembly ticket has nothing to do with the change of heart. &ldquo;The Shiv Sena has changed from what it was earlier. We are supporting the Shiv Sena because it is the only party that has given representation to north Indians,&rdquo; said R N Singh.
Asked who were the leaders that had got representation in the Sena, Singh mentioned Sanjay Nirupam who defected to the Congress long ago. &ldquo;In the Congress, except for Kripa Shankar Singh, no one ever got representation. Also, when the MNS attacked north Indians in Mumbai, we met Rahul Gandhi, but no action was taken,&rdquo; he said.
Singh says his word is final and binding and his Sangh will accept it. However, members say they weren&rsquo;t asked for their opinion. &ldquo;So, when his son is declared a candidate in the assembly polls, we are now supporting Shiv Sena? This has raised many questions.
The decision wasn&rsquo;t taken in consultation with members. We would&rsquo;ve understood had Singh supported the BJP, which supports north Indians. But the Shiv Sena has a history of attacking us. This is a very random decision.&rdquo;Another leader added that not all of the 10 lakh members would necessarily follow what the president said.

Maharashtra Polls: Meet candidates who have opponents with same names

Uttar Bhartiya Sangh, with nearly 10 lakh members, has decided to support the Shiv Sena in the upcoming polls, despite the party&rsquo;s sons-of-the-soil stance; president&rsquo;s son will contest from Chandivli

Maharashtra Polls: North Indian association warms up to Sena after prez's son gets ticket

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Home / Mumbai / Mumbai News / Article / Maharashtra Polls: North Indian association warms up to Sena after prez's son gets ticket

Maharashtra Polls: North Indian association warms up to Sena after prez's son gets ticket

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