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KOLHAPUR: Uneasiness in Shiv Sena showed in the zilla parishad elections in western Maharashtra. Some Sena leaders helped BJP win key posts in Solapur and Sangli ZPs.

All eyes are now on a meeting called by Anil Babar, Sena's Khanapur MLA in Sangli district. Babar's supporters voted in favour of BJP in the election on Thursday.

Babar told the media that the meeting has been called as all parties, setting aside their differences, helped him win assembly election. "There is some confusion about current political situation, which I want to clear," he added.

Babar said Sena had an alliance with BJP in Sangli for two-and-a-half years. "Leaders of Maha Vikas Aghadi contacted us too late. Even the Sena did not issue any specific directive about Sangli election," he added. Sources said Babar's strained ties with NCP minister Jayant Patil played a key role in the development. Ajit Ghorpade, Shiv Sena candidate in Kavthe Mahankar, also supported BJP. In neighbouring Solapur district, four Sena MLAs joined hands with BJP, which offered the president post to the party.

The Solapur incident has hurt NCP as the party was keen to capture power following defeat in Madha Lok Sabha constituency and defection of the Mohite-Patil family.

