Mumbai, 18th October 2024: With the Maharashtra Assembly elections on the horizon, friction is escalating between the Congress party and Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) within the opposition coalition, Mahavikas Aghadi (MVA). Despite an existing seat-sharing agreement, the two parties have clashed over the Bandra (East) constituency.
Shiv Sena Names Bandra (East) Candidate
Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena has put forward Varun Sardesai as its candidate for the Bandra (East) seat. Sardesai, a cousin of Aditya Thackeray, has been an active member of the Yuva Sena for 14 years and is closely aligned with the Thackeray family. His selection has not been well-received by Congress leaders.
Congress Leaders Voice Concerns
Following the announcement of the Shiv Sena candidate, discontent has surfaced within Congress ranks. Zeeshan Siddiqui, who won the Bandra (East) seat in the 2019 Assembly elections and currently serves as an MLA, is among those affected. Many Congress leaders were eager to run in this constituency but now find themselves entangled in a political conflict.
Shiv Sena’s Rationale and the Constituency’s Demographics
The Shiv Sena contended that the UBT alliance granted the Chinchwad seat to Congress, thereby justifying its candidate for Bandra (East). This constituency has a significant Muslim population, making it a crucial area for both parties. The Shiv Sena’s unilateral move has stirred dissatisfaction among Congress members, with several expressing a desire to contest in this important seat.