Maharashtra MLC polls: BJP fields businessman Arun Lakhani, soon to be in-laws with Sule-Pawar family

Mumbai: As the nominations for the ensuing elections to 17 vacancies in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly drew to a close on Monday, the BJP sprang a sprite by fielding businessman Arun Lakhani, whose son Sarang Lakhanee is set to marry Revati Sule, the daughter of Baramati MP Supriya Sule and Sadanand Sule and also the grand daughter of NCP (SP) supremo Sharad Pawar.

Lakhani is the Chairman and Managing Director of the Vishvaraj Group, a company engaged in water sustainability projects, wastewater management and road infrastructure development.

Lakhani is considered close to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari.

The BJP fielded Lakhani from the Wardha-Chandrapur-Gadchiroli local authorities constituency and faces Congress’ candidate Shailesh Agarwal.

After his nomination, Lakhani said that family relations and politics are not be mixed.

"Supriya Tai sent me a congratulatory message. The reference to the Pawar family is natural because it is a large political family and we are related. I do not see anything unusual in that,” he said.