Maharashtra Assembly Election: Raj Thackeray's MNS To Fight 25 Seats In Mumbai

The upcoming Assembly election in Mumbai has become increasingly intense as the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) stands to be a critical factor across 36 Assembly seats in the financial capital.

Unlike the Asaduddin Owaisi-led All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, the MNS refrained from participating in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, instead offering its unconditional support to the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

However, MNS' decision to field candidates across 25 Assembly seats in Mumbai now poses a notable challenge for both the BJP and the Shiv Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde, who collectively hold a majority in the city.

The BJP is contesting 17 seats in Mumbai, while the Shinde-led Sena is vying for 16, reported India Today. Notably, MNS has fielded candidates against BJP and Shinde Sena nominees in 22 of these seats, heightening competition and raising concerns about a potential vote share split for the ruling Mahayuti coalition.

Specifically, the MNS is running candidates against 12 seats contested by the Shinde-led Shiv Sena and 10 seats held by the BJP. In Sewree, where Mahayuti has not fielded a candidate, MNS leader Bala Nandgaonkar is the sole contender, backed by the ruling coalition.

Mumbai's Mahim and Worli constituencies have already attracted enough attention. Mahim, in particular, has turned into a battleground, with MNS leader Amit Thackeray, son of Raj Thackeray, challenging Eknath Shinde's candidate, Sada Sarvankar, setting the stage for a three-way contest.

In Worli, MNS candidate Sandeep Deshpande faces a challenging race against Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray and Shinde Sena's Milind Deora.

Despite widespread competition, MNS has strategically chosen not to contest certain high-profile BJP figures in the city, including Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar (Colaba), Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar (Bandra West), state BJP treasurer Mihir Kotecha (Mulund), and Mangal Prabhat Lodha (Malabar Hill).

Key constituencies contested by the MNS include Mahim, Worli, Magathane, Kurla, Chandivali, Bhandup, and Vikhroli, among others. Analysts suggest that any shift of votes to MNS in these regions could impact both the Mahayuti and MVA alliances.

Full List of Assembly Seats in Mumbai:

• Colaba: Rahul Narwekar (BJP) - No MNS candidate
• Malabar Hill: Mangal Prabhat Lodha (BJP) - No MNS candidate
• Mumbadevi: Shaina NC (Shiv Sena)
• Byculla: Yamini Jadhav (Shiv Sena)
• Worli: Milind Deora (Shiv Sena) vs. Sandeep Deshpande (MNS)
• Sewree: Bala Nandgaonkar (MNS) - Mahayuti-backed
• Mahim: Sada Sarvankar (Shiv Sena) vs. Amit Thackeray (MNS)
• Wadala: Kalidas Kolambkar (BJP) vs. Snehal Jadhav (MNS)
• Dharavi: Rajesh Khandare (Shiv Sena) - No MNS candidate
• Kurla: Mangesh Kudalkar (Shiv Sena) vs. Pradeep Waghmare (MNS)
• Bandra (West): Ashish Shelar (BJP) - No MNS candidate
• Bandra (East): Zeeshan Siddique (NCP) vs. Trupti Sawant (MNS)
• Chandivali: Dilip Lande (Shiv Sena) vs. Mahendra Bhanushali (MNS)
• Chembur: Tukaram Kathe (Shiv Sena) vs. Mauli Thorve (MNS)
• Anushakti Nagar: Sana Malik (NCP) - No MNS candidate
• Vile Parle: Parag Alawni (BJP) vs. Juilee Shende (MNS)
• Andheri West: Ameet Satam (BJP) - No MNS candidate
• Versova: Bharti Lavekar (BJP) vs. Sandesh Desai (MNS)
• Goregaon: Vidya Thakur (BJP) vs. Virendra Jadav (MNS)
• Kandivali East: Atul Bhatkhalkar (BJP) vs. Mahesh Pharkase (MNS)
• Dindoshi: Sanjay Nirupam (Shiv Sena) vs. Bhaskar Parab (MNS)
• Jogeshwari East: Manisha Waikar (Shiv Sena) vs. Bhalchandra Ambure (MNS)
• Charkop: Yogesh Sagar (BJP) vs. Dinesh Salvi (MNS)
• Malad West: Vinod Shelar (BJP) - No MNS candidate
• Borivali: Sanjay Upadhyaye (BJP) vs. Kunal Mainkar (MNS)
• Dahisar: Manisha Chaudhary (BJP) vs. Rajesh Yerunkar (MNS)
• Mulund: Mihir Kotecha (BJP) - No MNS candidate
• Bhandup West: Ashok Patil (Shiv Sena) vs. Shirish Sawant (MNS)
• Vikhroli: Suvarna Karanje (Shiv Sena) vs. Vishwajit Dolam (MNS)
• Kalina: Amarjeet Singh (RPI-BJP) vs. Sandeep Hutgi (MNS)
• Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar: Suresh Patil (Shiv Sena) vs. Jagdish Khandekar (MNS)
• Ghatkopar West: Ram Kadam (BJP) vs. Ganesh Chukkal (MNS)
• Ghatkopar East: Parag Shah (BJP) vs. Sandeep Kulthe (MNS)
• Andheri East: Murji Patel (Shiv Sena) - No MNS candidate
• Magathane: Prakash Surve (Shiv Sena) vs. Nayan Kadam (MNS)
• Sion Koliwada: Captain Tamil Selvan (BJP) - No MNS candidate

The Maharashtra Assembly elections are set for 20 November, with vote counting for all 288 constituencies scheduled for 23 November.

In the 2019 Assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, Shiv Sena 56, and Congress 44. In 2014, the BJP secured 122 seats, Shiv Sena 63, and Congress 42.