Denied BJP Ticket, Former Gopal Shetty – News18

Last Updated:October 28, 2024, 23:14 IST

The party has fielded Mumbai unit general secretary Sanjay Upadhyay from the seat replacing sitting MLA Sunil Rane. This decision sparked protests by local BJP workers demanding a representative from the area

Maharashtra BJP leader Gopal Shetty has announced to contest as an independent after the party denied him ticket from Borivali assembly seat.

The party has fielded Mumbai unit general secretary Sanjay Upadhyay from the seat replacing sitting MLA Sunil Rane. This decision sparked protests by local BJP workers demanding a representative from the area.

However, sources said that the BJP’s top brass is in touch with him. He may be offered a post in the party or MLC seat.

The two-time MP from Mumbai North Lok Sabha seat said that a local should get the ticket from Borivali. “I have been a loyal party worker for a very long time. Today, I went to help four BJP candidates to file their nomination papers. However, when the list was announced, I was dejected to see that I have not been fielded. The issue is not that I have not been given a ticket, the issue is that the candidate must have been a local BJP worker from Borivali,” Shetty said.

Shetty, who won the Mumbai North Lok Sabha seat by margins of more than four lakh in 2014 and 2019, was denied a ticket in the 2024 general elections. The seat was won by senior BJP leader Piyush Goyal, who is now Union minister.

“My supporters have stood by me for 35 years. They told me to listen to them (and contest). First Vinod Tawde contested from here in 2014, then Sunil Rane in 2019. This time, the Lok Sabha ticket from Mumbai North was given to Piyush Goyal. This is happening for the fourth time with Upadhyay being nominated,” he pointed out.

Shetty, a veteran of the Mumbai north region, was MLA from Borivali in 2004 and 2009. He was also corporator from the area for several years.

(With inputs from agencies)