Eknath Shinde Reaffirms Support for Shiv Sena Candidate in Mahim

MUMBAI: Amit Thackeray, son of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, is making his political debut by contesting from the Dadar Mahim constituency. Despite this, Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde has reaffirmed his support for Shiv Sena candidate Sada Saravankar in Mahim. During the Lok Sabha elections, the MNS extended unconditional support to the Mahayuti alliance; however, for the current assembly elections, the MNS has fielded over 100 candidates, challenging both the ruling BJP and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).

In an interview with ANI, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde discussed his rapport with Raj Thackeray and his son, Amit. He noted that while the MNS supported the Mahayuti in the Lok Sabha elections, Raj Thackeray’s decision to field Amit in Mahim puts him in direct competition with other alliance candidates. Shinde emphasized the importance of maintaining political alliances while also encouraging party workers to keep their morale high during elections.

Confident in the Mahayuti’s success, Shinde expressed optimism about the coalition’s prospects, stating, “With Shiv Sena, BJP, and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) aligned, we are prepared to win a majority in the upcoming election.” He also highlighted that the RPI remains an ally within the coalition.

The Mahim constituency will see a contest among Amit Thackeray (MNS), Sada Saravankar (Shiv Sena), and Mahesh Sawant (Shiv Sena – UBT). Voter demographics in Mahim include 123,400 Marathi voters, 21,200 North Indians, 20,800 Gujarati and Rajasthani voters, 13,600 South Indians, 11,800 Christians, and 8,500 Parsis, totaling 224,700 voters.

Raj Thackeray asserted that the next government in Maharashtra will be led by the Mahayuti alliance, with the BJP holding the Chief Minister’s post. He emphasized that this government would have the MNS’s support, even though Raj Thackeray’s party is not officially part of the Mahayuti alliance, which includes the BJP, Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP.

The Maharashtra assembly election will be held in a single phase on November 20, with vote counting scheduled for November 23. In the previous 2014 elections, the BJP secured 122 seats, the Shiv Sena won 63, and the Congress obtained 42.