04-05-2009, 09:05 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Expect fireworks! Jethmalani son, Sunil Dutt daughter to clash</b>
pioneer.com
TN Raghunatha | Mumbai
In a development that will add spark to the Lok Sabha poll scene in the nationâs financial capital, the BJP has nominated high-profile criminal lawyer Mahesh Jethmalani as its candidate against sitting Congress MP Priya Dutt from Mumbai North-Central constituency.
<b>The BJP â which had at a stage offered the Mumbai North-Central seat to slain BJP leader Pramod Mahajanâs daughter Poonam Mahajan-Rao and subsequently asked the party functionary-cum-fashion designer Shaina NC to contest this seat â chose Mahesh, son of famous legal luminary and former Union Minister Ram Jethmalani, to take on Priya after Poonam and Shaina showed reluctance</b>.
Poonam, it may be called, had rooted for the Mumbai North-East seat. However, the BJP leadership â despite strong resistance put up by her uncle-cum-senior State BJP leader Gopinath Munde â nominated former MP Kirit Somaiya in her stead.
While an aggrieved Munde made his unhappiness public while talking to the media, Poonam created a stir in the State political circles by meeting Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray and, in the process, unleashing speculation about either her or brother Rahul Mahajan contesting the LS poll from Mumbai North-East constituency as a non-BJP candidate.
On his part, 52-year-old Mahesh has been enthusiastic to contest the Lok Sabha poll ever since the BJP offered him the Mumbai North-Central seat more than a week ago.
âI am happy to take on Priya Dutt in the poll. And I am confident of putting up a good fight and winning eventually. I was preparing to make a detailed statement as to why I am contesting. Owing to lack of time, I could not do that. Anyway, I will shortly be addressing a Press conference to spell out my plans and priorities,â Jethmalani Jr said shortly after the BJP announced his candidature.
<b>Earlier, Jethmalani Jr said the inept handling of the November 26, 2009, mayhem in Mumbai was among the reasons for his decision to contest the poll. </b>
<b>Accusing the Congress of communalising terrorism, Mahesh said he felt a BJP Government would firmly deal with the issue of terrorism</b> .<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
pioneer.com
TN Raghunatha | Mumbai
In a development that will add spark to the Lok Sabha poll scene in the nationâs financial capital, the BJP has nominated high-profile criminal lawyer Mahesh Jethmalani as its candidate against sitting Congress MP Priya Dutt from Mumbai North-Central constituency.
<b>The BJP â which had at a stage offered the Mumbai North-Central seat to slain BJP leader Pramod Mahajanâs daughter Poonam Mahajan-Rao and subsequently asked the party functionary-cum-fashion designer Shaina NC to contest this seat â chose Mahesh, son of famous legal luminary and former Union Minister Ram Jethmalani, to take on Priya after Poonam and Shaina showed reluctance</b>.
Poonam, it may be called, had rooted for the Mumbai North-East seat. However, the BJP leadership â despite strong resistance put up by her uncle-cum-senior State BJP leader Gopinath Munde â nominated former MP Kirit Somaiya in her stead.
While an aggrieved Munde made his unhappiness public while talking to the media, Poonam created a stir in the State political circles by meeting Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray and, in the process, unleashing speculation about either her or brother Rahul Mahajan contesting the LS poll from Mumbai North-East constituency as a non-BJP candidate.
On his part, 52-year-old Mahesh has been enthusiastic to contest the Lok Sabha poll ever since the BJP offered him the Mumbai North-Central seat more than a week ago.
âI am happy to take on Priya Dutt in the poll. And I am confident of putting up a good fight and winning eventually. I was preparing to make a detailed statement as to why I am contesting. Owing to lack of time, I could not do that. Anyway, I will shortly be addressing a Press conference to spell out my plans and priorities,â Jethmalani Jr said shortly after the BJP announced his candidature.
<b>Earlier, Jethmalani Jr said the inept handling of the November 26, 2009, mayhem in Mumbai was among the reasons for his decision to contest the poll. </b>
<b>Accusing the Congress of communalising terrorism, Mahesh said he felt a BJP Government would firmly deal with the issue of terrorism</b> .<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->