India, June 10 -- The Shiv Sena's Nashik unit is growing increasingly uneasy as rebel BJP leader Gokul Gite remains adamant about contesting the Nashik MLC election against the official Mahayuti candidate and Sena leader Narendra Darade.

A section of Sena leaders fears that Gite may enjoy the covert backing of "invisible forces" within the ruling Mahayuti alliance, which they believe is emboldening him to stay in the fray despite repeated efforts to persuade him to withdraw.

"Our apprehension stems from the fact that Gite has remained adamant despite repeated requests from the ruling alliance's top leadership. He is even claiming that he will win the election as an independent candidate. We suspect there is some 'invisible force' within...