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Sena undecided on Seshan, Kalmadi

The Shiv Sena on Saturday remained noncommittal about nominating former chief election commissioner T N Seshan for party ticket.

The final decision about the matter will be taken on January 22, Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray said.

Seshan, he said, was keen to contest the poll on the Shiv Sena ticket.

He said the party was not sure about Pune MP Suresh Kalmadi's stand -- the MP himself seems undecided whether to contest as an independent or with the Bharatiya Janata Party.

"We will support Kalmadi if he contests on the BJP ticket," Thackeray said.

Kalmadi, meanwhile, has said he would face the election on his own.

The final list of candidates from Maharashtra and from out of the state would be announced on January 22. While four seats remain to be announced in the state, 136 have to be finalised without.

"The party will have an alliance with the BJP outside the state wherever necessary," he clarified.

Party chief Bal Thackeray will start the campaign from Kolhapur where several leaders from other parties are expected to join the Sena.

The politicians who crossed over to the Sena recently include: Vikramsingh Ghatge, Shahu Maharaj, Mahadevrao Mahadik and Arun Narke.

UNI

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