Summary:
MUMBAI: Shiv Sena MLA Sunil Raut decided to contest from Mumbai North East Lok Sabha constituency as an independent candidate, if BJP nominates sitting MP Kirit Somaiya again. Sena demanded not to field Somaiya or any member from his family for the constituency.Meanwhile, BJP MLC Prasad Lad reached Matoshree, Thackeray's residence, to convince Uddhav Thackeray for nominating Somaiya from the constituency. Political expert said that this could be the pressure tactics of Sena to deny ticket to Somaiya.Sena strongly opposed Somaiya's nomination as he directly raised questions over Matoshree's source of income and targeted Sena during BMC polls in 2016.Sunil Raut is a younger brother of Sena MP and senior leader Sanjay Raut.Sunil Raut said that he will file his nomination form on the auspicious day of Gudi Padwa, on April 6 from the Mumbai North East seat.BJP is yet to announce candidate of Mumbai North East constituency..