Raj Thackeray's Son Amit Gets BJP's Backing For Mahim Seat, Shinde Sena Candidate Left In Lurch

The Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra finds itself in a dilemma over candidate selection in the Mahim constituency, with just 20 days remaining until the assembly election.

This constituency is set for a three-way contest between Amit Thackeray, son of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, the incumbent Shiv Sena MLA Sada Sarvankar, and Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Mahesh Sawant.

The impasse has intensified as the BJP has pledged its support for Amit Thackeray, while its ally, the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde, is backing their sitting MLA Sarvankar. Both parties remain resolute in their respective decisions.

The BJP anticipated that Shinde's Shiv Sena would withdraw MLA Sarvankar from the seat in favour of Amit Thackeray. While BJP leaders claim an agreement was reached with Shinde on the matter, Shiv Sena representatives argue that if they don't field a candidate, their votes might drift to the Uddhav faction. Consequently, Sarvankar is set on contesting the election.

On Wednesday, Sarvankar urged Raj Thackeray to withdraw his son from the Mahim race and instead support the Shiv Sena candidate.

The MLA, in a tweet, emphasised his 40-year loyalty to the Shiv Sena and his three-time election as MLA through dedicated service. He noted that, had the late Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray been alive, he would not have asked him to give up the seat for a family member.

"Fifty of his (Bal Thackeray's) relatives live in Dadar-Mahim, but he chose a common worker like me. He was a leader who valued the spirit of the worker. Look at Eknath Shinde Saheb - even though his son was a three-time MP, he did not make his son a minister at the centre but gave that opportunity to a loyal Shiv Sainik," Sarvankar stated.

He added, "I request Rajsaheb not to do injustice to workers like me. Give me your support."

The MLA's remarks followed Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis reaffirming that the BJP is committed to backing Raj Thackeray's son in Mahim.

"We are supporting Amit Thackeray. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was of the same view. But if the Sena candidate is not there, then their votes will go to Shiv Sena (UBT), hence a candidate is given," Fadnavis said, adding that efforts would be made to resolve the issue.

According to Fadnavis, leaders from the Shinde-led Shiv Sena argued that if the party did not field a candidate, their committed voters might shift to the Uddhav faction. "The BJP was ready to support Amit and is still firm on its stand," he said.

In the midst of this, Sarvankar met with Eknath Shinde, claiming that the Chief Minister assured him he would be contesting from Mahim.

Meanwhile, Raj Thackeray asserted that the next government in Maharashtra would be led by the Mahayuti alliance, with the BJP holding the Chief Minister's post. He added that this government would have the MNS's support.

Notably, Raj Thackeray's party is not officially part of the Mahayuti alliance, which includes the BJP, Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar's NCP.

Elections for the 288-member state assembly will take place on 20 November, with votes counted on 23 November.