Mumbai: In a surprise move, Shiv Sena on Thursday denied ticket to the sitting Rajya Sabha MP and senior leader Manohar Joshi for the March 30 biennial election and announced the candidature of party secretary Anil Desai, party sources said.
The Shiv Sena decision has also disappointed RPI leader Ramdas Athawale who was hoping to be backed by the Sena-BJP alliance for the election to the upper house of parliament.
Athwale held a meeting with his party associates here on Thursday night after hearing Sena`s decision.