Shinde Sena's Prakash Surve Set For Third Victory As MahaYuti Strengthens In Western Suburbs

In nearly 58 years of its political journey, many leaders have joined the Shiv Sena's ranks. Some Shiv Sainiks earned leadership roles through hard work, while others, attracted by the party's ideology, joined from other political backgrounds and embraced the Sena flag.

One such leader who became part of Shiv Sena's political movement is Prakash Surve, the MLA from Magathane.

Photo Credit: https://x.com/miprakashsurve

Stretching across Borivali, Kandivali, and Dahisar on the western railway line in Mumbai, the city's suburbs have significantly supported Shiv Sena. Although BJP holds a strong influence in the Borivali, Kandivali, and Dahisar areas, Shiv Sena has managed to establish a considerable presence there, with Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) also having a foothold.

Prakash Surve, who previously worked with the NCP, joined Shiv Sena in 2014. That same year, he defeated the BJP candidate in the Magathane constituency and became an MLA for the first time.

In 2019, during the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance, Prakash Surve ran as the alliance candidate from Magathane and secured another consecutive victory in the constituency.

2019 - Year of Political Shifts

The year 2019 marked a turning point for Maharashtra's political landscape, with significant changes taking place. That year, voters endorsed the MahaYuti alliance in the Assembly elections, with the BJP winning 105 seats and Shiv Sena securing 56 seats. Devendra Fadnavis was nearly certain to become Chief Minister, but on the day of the results, Shiv Sena reversed its stance, with Sanjay Raut declaring that all options were open.

This led to the formation of the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance between Shiv Sena, NCP, and Congress. Uddhav Thackeray became Chief Minister, Aaditya Thackeray joined as a cabinet minister, and the BJP, despite public support, took its place in the opposition. Interestingly, Congress and NCP, which had been rejected by voters, found their way into power through this alliance.

A Period of Political Struggle

Post-2019, Maharashtra experienced one of its most intense political power struggles, especially between Shiv Sena and the BJP. Leaders from the BJP fiercely attacked Shiv Sena, with several key leaders from the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance, including former Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, Minister Nawab Malik, and Sanjay Raut, facing jail time.

In 2022, Eknath Shinde staged a rebellion with the BJP's support, resulting in Uddhav Thackeray's government falling, and Shinde was appointed Chief Minister. Although Devendra Fadnavis was widely preferred by the public for the Chief Minister's role, he accepted the position of Deputy Chief Minister. Prakash Surve, the Magathane MLA, was one of the prominent Shiv Sena members who supported Shinde's leadership.

Addressing the Devipada Slum Issue

Though Prakash Surve originally came from the NCP, his nature aligns well with that of a true Shiv Sainik. Known for his proactive approach, he has made a name for himself as a hardworking leader in the western suburbs. Surve's dedication to addressing local issues has won him support from his constituency's residents. The Devipada slum in his constituency was taken up for redevelopment under the slum redevelopment scheme, which promised housing for the residents. However, the project faced prolonged delays, and residents' rent had not been paid for three years. Surve took the initiative to hold multiple meetings with the relevant authorities, finally pushing the developer to pay the pending rent, thus resolving the residents' long-standing concerns.

Initiative for the Akurli Bridge

The underpass at Akurli, an important infrastructure project in North Mumbai, has showcased Surve's efficiency as an MLA for Magathane and Kandivali East. Surve played a key role in the construction of the Akurli bridge on the western express highway, helping alleviate the traffic congestion in the area. This development has also provided relief to residents of Pushpa Park and Kandivali. Surve's efforts have further extended to providing sewage and sanitation facilities in several areas within the Magathane constituency, including Hanuman Nagar, Ketki Pada, Samta Nagar, and Kokani Pada.

A Strong Position for the Alliance in the Constituency

Prakash Surve is known to be a close associate of Eknath Shinde, with a large dahi handi celebration held in Magathane in Shinde's name. Surve is deeply involved in cultural and social initiatives in his constituency, known for his down-to-earth approach. Eknath Shinde has nominated Surve again from Magathane in the 2024 Assembly elections. Political analysts in the western suburbs believe Surve will benefit from the substantial support the Maha-Yuti alliance has garnered, as demonstrated by Piyush Goyal's record victory in the North Mumbai Lok Sabha constituency.