Gujarat Assembly election 2012: Shiv Sena not to contest

MUMBAI: Shiv Sena will not contest the next month's Assembly election in Gujarat to avoid division of "pro-Hindutva" votes.

In a statement here today, Party Executive President Uddhav Thackeray said the Sena has decided to support Chief Minister Narendra Modi and avoid division of "pro-Hindutva" votes in the BJP-ruled state which goes to the polls on December 13 and 17.

The Sena wanted to ensure that Congress, which is out of power in Gujarat since mid-1990s, does not benefit in the state in any way, he added.

In September Shiv Sena, had announced it will field candidates in Gujarat.