Opposition to put up tough fight for CM bypoll

MUMBAI: The Congress heaved a sigh of relief with the HC giving its nod for holding a bypoll to the state legislative council on May 5. Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan is all set to contest the byelection since he has to get the membership of the state legislature before May 10.
According to sources, the Congress is expecting the polls to be a cakewalk for Chavan.However, with the opposition deciding to give a tough fight, it may queer the pitch for the chief minister, say experts.
BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde told TOI that the Shiv Sena-BJP leaders will meet on Monday to decide the strategy for the upcoming byelection.
With the decks being cleared for the contest, the Congress is in touch with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to ensure a smooth sailing for the CM during the byelection.
The nominations will start on April 18 while the scrutiny will be on April 26 and last date for withdrawal is April 28."The chief minsterwill have no problem in getting elected with a comfortable majority," a senior Congress minister said.