Bandra East bypoll: Vote for MIM will help Shiv Sena, says Narayan Rane

MUMBAI: Senior Congress leader Narayan Rane who is contesting the by-elections for Bandra East Assembly constituency has said that the MIM candidate against him has been propped by Sena-BJP to split secular votes.

Rane, who is pitted against Sena and MIM candidates for the April 11 by-poll, in his campaign speeches, accused the Sena and BJP for putting up MIM candidate against him to split votes and create hurdle in his victory.

"But voters are wise enough. They have seen that MIM legislators did not protest when the BJP government scrapped the 5 per cent quota for Muslims in education. MIM MLAs have never highlighted issues concerning the minorities in the Assembly or outside," Rane said while addressing a meeting.

"A vote for MIM will be indirectly helping the Shiv Sena," he said.

Meanwhile, Samajwadi party chief Abu Asim Azmi has supported Rane's candidature and campaigned for him.

Rane is focussing on padyatras and public meetings as part of his campaign.