Maharashtra meeting elections: Eknath’s Sena pitches Milind Deora from Worli towards Aaditya Thackeray | India Information

NEW DELHI: The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction on Sunday introduced Milind Deora, former Congress MP and now a Rajya Sabha member, as its candidate to problem incumbent MLA Aaditya Thackeray of Shiv Sena (UBT) in Mumbai’s Worli constituency.
Deora had earlier hinted the identical by stating on social media, “Justice for Worli and Worlikars is lengthy overdue. Collectively, we’re paving the best way ahead… It’s Worli now!” The seat, historically a Shiv Sena stronghold, is now rising as a focus for the Mahayuti alliance’s technique. Each the BJP and the Shinde Sena had expressed curiosity in contesting the high-profile seat, however the Mahayuti determined it will be fielded by a Sena candidate, in the end selecting Deora.
Aaditya Thackeray, the primary Thackeray member of the family to run for workplace in 2019, beforehand secured the Worli seat by defeating NCP’s Suresh Mane by a landslide margin. Nonetheless, the current 2024 Lok Sabha outcomes noticed Sena (UBT) candidate Arvind Sawant win with a a lot slimmer lead of simply over 6,700 votes from this constituency, suggesting a possible shift within the political dynamics inside Worli.
The competition in Worli is not going to be an easy one, as Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s (MNS) Sandeep Deshpande has additionally entered the race, making it a three-way battle akin to the neighbouring Mahim constituency, the place Sena, Sena (UBT), and MNS candidates are all vying for dominance. Deora, son of late Congress chief Murli Deora, is a seasoned politician with two phrases as Congress MP for Mumbai South and has been a outstanding voice in Maharashtra politics. Deora joined the Shinde-led Sena faction earlier this 12 months after resigning from Congress, a transfer which later noticed him nominated to the Rajya Sabha.
In current months, BJP spokesperson Shaina NC had been actively campaigning within the Worli constituency and had expressed curiosity in contesting from the seat on a Sena ticket. Nonetheless, inner conflicts throughout the BJP reportedly led to the choice to cross the seat to a Shiv Sena candidate underneath the Mahayuti association.
The upcoming elections are anticipated to be contentious, as either side search to capitalise on Worli’s current improvement and Aaditya’s achievements over his three years in workplace. In an emotional letter to his constituency final 12 months, Aaditya had hit out at rival events for “indulging in soiled politics and betrayal,” accusing the Shinde faction of utilizing underhanded ways of their campaigns.

Full listing of Shinde faction:

Along with Deora’s candidacy in Worli, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) fielded different key candidates, together with Sanjay Nirupam from the Dindoshi Meeting constituency and Nilesh N Rane from the Kudal Meeting constituency.