India, Oct. 10 -- Even as Shiv Sena-backed candidate Mangesh Chivate withdrew his nomination from the Pune Division Teachers' Constituency, easing tensions with the Sena's ally BJP, the ruling alliance faces a challenge from rebels in Nagpur and Amravati. Meanwhile, all is not well within the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), with the Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) fielding candidates against each other in the Aurangabad Division Graduates' Constituency.

Elections to three graduates' constituencies-Pune, Aurangabad and Nagpur Divisions-and two teachers' constituencies-Pune and Amravati Divisions-are scheduled for October 23. Friday was the last day to withdraw nominations.

The Sena's decision to field Chivate against the BJP's official ...