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Seshan likely Sena candidate from Bombay

Former chief election commissioner T N Seshan, who raised the hackles of many political parties during his controversial-but-mercurial tenure as the CEC, has decided to jump in the electoral fray.

Reliable sources say Seshan will contest the general election on a Shiv Sena ticket from Bombay. However, when asked if he had made up his mind, Seshan told Rediff On The NeT in his cryptic style on Friday morning, "I will tell you exactly nothing now. But I will tell you exactly everything when I decide to contest."

Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray is of the view that Seshan's election could give his party a boost at the national level. Of the six constituencies in the metropolis, it is unlikely that Seshan will contest the prestigious South Bombay seat. Congress sources believe Murli Deora -- who lost the seat to the BJP's Jaywantiben Mehta in 1996 after 16 years -- will once again be fielded as the Congress candidate. Deora is known for his proximity to Congress president Sitaram Kesri and Sonia Gandhi.

Since Deora shares a certain bon homie with the Sena, it is unlikely the party will pitch Seshan against him. Subsequently, Seshan could well be accommodated in the Bombay North Central constituency as senior Sena leaders are not particularly enamoured of Narayan Athavale, who won the seat for the party last year. Athavale too is reportedly not keen on contesting the election this time.

Sena leaders believe the city's middle class, who look upon Seshan as a messiah, will see him canter through the hustings. The Bombay North Central constituency includes the Matunga suburb, the bastion of the Tamilian brahmin community from which Seshan hails.

The Sena believes Seshan's victory could bag the party a major portfolio if a BJP-led government comes to power. The Sena is the BJP's electoral ally.

Thackeray is known to have appreciated Seshan's electoral zeal as CEC. The two men are said to have developed an excellent personal rapport and the Sena was the only party which supported Seshan's candidature for the Presidency four months ago.

Interestingly, Thackeray had earlier decided to pitch Seshan against Congress MP Suresh Kalmadi from Pune. The BJP, however, wanted the seat for itself; the city is considered a traditional party bastion.

BJP sources are also of the opinion that Seshan, who is known for speaking his mind, could prove an embarrassment for the Sena and its allies.

Prasanna D Zore, George Iype

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