Shiv Sena: Why so many rallies of Modi, Shah if no Oppn challenge

The Shiv Sena on Sunday sought to know why top BJP leaders held so many rallies for theMaharashtra Assembly polls when Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis feels there is no Opposition left in the fray to challenge his partyled allianceIn a column in Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamana partys Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut also claimed that the poll plunge of Sena chief Uddhav Thackerays son Aaditya Thackeray will change the states political dynamics in coming yearsHinting at the waning strength of the Opposition parties Fadnavis recently said there was no wrestler left in the fray who can challenge the BJPled alliance The chief minister has been asserting that the opposition does not exist any more in the poll campaign The question then arises about the motive behind some 10 rallies of Prime Minister Modi 30 of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Fadnavis himself holding 100 rallies across Maharashtra Raut saidThe same question is being raised by NCP chief Sharad Pawar as well which is not wrong he said Though Fadnavis said he is not facing any opposition challenge in reality there is an electoral challenge which forced the BJP leaders to hold so many rallies Raut the Marathi dailys executive editor claimed in his column RokhThokHe further said that Aaditya Thackerays foray into elections was going to change the political dynamics of the state in the coming years He is contesting elections not to just sit in the Assembly but the new generation wants him to lead the state he claimedAaditya Thackeray the first member from his family to enter the electoral battle is contesting the polls from Mumbais Worli Assembly constituency Raut also said that his party is in the electoral fray to keep intact the states geographical boundariesDuring the recent election campaign Fadnavis said the demand for Vidarbha state is the BJPs principled stand The chief minister said his party feels there should be smaller states but when to take decision on this is upto the central leadership The Sena has been opposing separate statehood for Vidarbha regionRaut said issues like the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and demand for construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya were for the first time raised during Maharashtrapolls campaign a move opposed by NCP chief Sharad PawarThe Sena however spoke about issues of the common man he pointed out The Shiv Sena has promised a full meal at Rs 10 for the common man and medical checkup at Re one There shouldhave been someone in the campaign to speak on issues of the state and the common man What Fadnavis has done for the state in last five years is going to be tested tomorrow he saidRaut also claimed that the runup to Mondays state polls saw the highest number of political defectionsThere are rebels in at least 37 Assembly segments Both the parties BJP and Sena had earlier prepared for contesting separately hence many aspirants were disappointed and some of them decided to contest separately he said They are doing it to stay relevant in their constituencies so I will not call them rebels he addedPolling for all 288 Assembly seats in the state will be held on Monday and counting of votes will take place on October 24Catch up on all the latest Crime National International and Hatke news here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates