Worli Assembly Contest: Aaditya Thackeray Faces Strong Challenge from Milind Deora and MNS Candidate

Worli, a prominent assembly constituency in Mumbai, is set for an intriguing electoral battle on November 20. The area, known for its luxurious properties and old chawls needing redevelopment, will see a contest among three factions of the Shiv Sena. Aaditya Thackeray, a former minister and Shiv Sena UBT candidate, seeks re-election against Rajya Sabha MP Milind Deora of Shiv Sena and Sandeep Deshpande from Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).

In the previous election, Aaditya Thackeray won by a significant margin of 62,247 votes. However, this time the competition appears more challenging. Milind Deora, who left Congress to join Shiv Sena earlier this year, is a familiar face in the constituency. He has previously represented the South Mumbai Lok Sabha seat twice, which includes Worli.

Campaign Strategies and Support

The campaign concluded with roadshows by both Aaditya Thackeray and Milind Deora. Aaditya was accompanied by his mother Rashmi during his final canvassing efforts. Meanwhile, Deora also held a roadshow on the last day. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and MNS chief Raj Thackeray were among those rallying support for their candidates.

Worli's demographic is diverse, housing both affluent residents and middle to lower-middle-class populations. The area faces issues like traffic congestion and dilapidated chawls awaiting redevelopment. These chawls include the BDD chawls, whose redevelopment is still pending.

Historical Context and Current Dynamics

In 2019, Aaditya Thackeray made his electoral debut when Sunil Shinde vacated the seat for him. The BJP was part of the saffron alliance then, making his victory relatively straightforward. However, recent trends show a decline in lead for the Shiv Sena UBT in Worli.

The constituency also has two MLCs: Sunil Shinde and Sachin Ahir. Ahir joined Shiv Sena before the 2019 elections after being an MLA from Worli multiple times. Despite his past success, he lost to Sunil Shinde in 2014.

Challenges and Voter Sentiments

Aaditya Thackeray's opponents have raised concerns about his accessibility to voters. MNS candidate Sandeep Deshpande highlighted this issue during his campaign. Deshpande claims that his party has completed 80% of door-to-door campaigns over six months.

The constituency's socio-economic landscape includes koliwada fishermen villages alongside corporate offices developed over two decades. This mix reflects Worli's unique character as both a commercial hub and a residential area with historical roots.

Shiv Sena MLC Sunil Shinde emphasised their strong grassroots presence in Worli. "We undertook three rounds of campaigns in every ward by our youth, women and shakha pramukh local unit head," he said.

The outcome of this electoral contest will be revealed on November 23 when votes are counted. Whether Aaditya Thackeray retains his seat or a new MLA emerges remains to be seen.