Sunday, November 6 2005 12:15 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: The Malvan assembly is all set to witness a battle 'royal' between Maharashtra Revenue Minister and Congress candidate Narayan Rane and Sena nominee Parshuram Uparkar.

The outcome of the polls would determine the winner in the Thackeray versus Rane saga, being fought, sometimes literally on the streets, in Maharashtra since the dramatic events of July this year, political observers here feel.

Two days after Sena chief Bal Thackeray eulogised him in a front-page article for being a 'hardcore' Shiv Sainik, Narayan Rane was shown the door on July 3.

In a pre-emptive action, Rane resigned as Sena leader a day earlier but clung on to his post of Leader of Opposition. It was a strategic move, which helped him prevent the Sena occupy the post of Leader of Opposition during the monsoon session of state legislature.

Rane quit as member of the Assembly and also as leader of opposition during the monsoon session. He later joined Congress and was inducted in the Cong-NCP led Democratic Front government in the state.

With three Sena MLAs owing allegiance to Rane quitting the Sena and Assembly and joining Congress, the strength of Sena in the 288-member Assembly has come down to 59. Rane said seven more Sena MLAs would quit before the winter session. This would help Sena ally BJP, having 54 members in the Assembly, bag the post of opposition leader.