Monday, December 19 2005 19:36 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Another major test for the crisis-ridden Shiv Sena is on the cards with the Election Commission today (Dec 19, 2005) announcing by-elections on January 21 to three assembly seats vacated by party MLAs who have joined the Congress and a Lok Sabha seat.

The three assembly seats include Vengurla, Rajapur and Sangameshwar and the Lok Sabha bypoll is from Sangli caused by the death of Congress MP Prakash Patil.

The assembly by-polls were caused by the resignation of Subhash Bane, Shankar Kambli and Ganpat Kadam, supporters of former Sena leader and Maharashtra Minister Narayan Rane on November four and Congress leadership has assured them re-nomination.

The by-polls to the assembly assume significance as they come in the backdrop of recent by-election in Malwan from where Rane won by a spectacular margin and succeeded in forfeiting the deposit of Sena nominee despite Sena supremo Bal Thackeray making it a prestigious fight.

The announcement comes a day after Sena received a jolt with Raj Thackeray, nephew of Sena supremo, quitting Sena.

The by-elections would be held through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

According to the poll schedule, notification would be issued on December 28. While the last date for filing nominations would be on January four, the scrutiny would follow the next day. Last date for withdrawal would be on January seven. Counting of votes would take place on Jan 24.

The Model Code of Conduct would come into immediate force, EC said.