The BJP-Shiv Sena combine has moved to contain the damage from the internal rebellion ahead of the polls, getting at least three of its rebels to withdraw their nomination. While two of the erstwhile rebels — Shekhar Sawarbandhe from South Nagpur and Arun Nawle from Rajura — are from Sena, Girish Vyas is from the BJP.

“I had a meeting with Gadkari. I am withdrawing unconditionally,” Vyas, a senior party leader, said. Asked what he has got in return, Vyas said, “I am withdrawing at the behest of senior leader Banwarilalji Purohit.” Purohit said, “I am like a family elder. I told him he has to withdraw.” Vyas had been denied a ticket from Central Nagpur which was given to Vikas Kumbhare, a member of the Halba community, which is influential in the area.

Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray, who has already hit the campaign trail in Vidarbha, met Sawarbandhe on Sunday in Nagpur and persuaded him to withdraw in favour of the party’s lesser-known nominee Kishore Kumeria, a former mayor. Sawarbandhe later also joined a rally addressed by Thackeray in Kumeria’s support. In Rajura, official Sena nominee Arun Nawle is set to withdraw on Tuesday in favour of rebel Nilkanth Kude after Thackeray asked him to do so.