Will contest as independent if UBT doesn’t give ticket: Bacchav

Nashik: Shiv Sena (UBT) senior functionary Bandu Bacchav on Wednesday said he is ready to contest the upcoming assembly election from Malegaon Outer seat as independent if the party does not give him the ticket.
Malegaon Outer is the home turf of Nashik guardian minister Dada Bhuse. The UBT is planning to field Advay Hiray, who is also the deputy leader of the party, against Bhuse.Mistari took the decision after Hiray had expelled him from the position of taluka chief.
Recently, UBT Malegaon taluka president Rambhau Mistari had quit the party and joined Shiv Sena. Now, if Bacchav contests as an independent, it would hamper Hiray's prospects of defeating Bhuse.
"Around a month ago, I had met the Sanjay Raut, who had assured me that both Advay and I are the candidates of the party from the Malegaon Outer assembly constituency. A decision on awarding the ticket to either of us will be taken by the party leadership. But both the candidates will be taken into confidence while awarding candidatures to either of us," Bacchav said.
"I am keen to contest the state assembly polls from the Malegaon Outer constituency on UBT ticket. If that does not work out then I will contest as an independent," he added. The sitting MLA from Malegaon Outer and district guardian minister Bhuse has been winning this seat since 2004.
This time, the straight fight will be between Shiv Sena and UBT in the Malegaon Outer constituency.