Besides the political drama  unfolding behind the curtains, the forthcoming June 20 Legislative Council elections have thrown up surprises in the selection of candidates by the Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

There are 10 vacancies. Polling will be required if the Sena (2 candidates), the BJP (5), the Congress (2) and the Nationalist Congress Party (2) keep all their 11 nominees in the fray. The NCP hadn’t announced its candidates till late Wednesday evening. The picture will be clear on June 13, the day of withdrawal. Before it, the Rajya Sabha contest for six seats will decide who among the BJP and the Maha Vikas Aghadi stands where on June 10, the day of polling and results. The Assembly members will vote in both elections.