Devendra Fadnavis Announces Shrikant Shinde, Son of Eknath Shinde, as Candidate for Kalyan Seat

In an announcement made by Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday, it was revealed that Shrikant Shinde, son of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, will be contesting from the Kalyan constituency in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. This decision was made as part of a concession to the ally Shiv Sena, within the ruling alliance of Maharashtra, known as Mahayuti, which includes the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and NCP under Ajit Pawar.

Despite initial opposition from local BJP leaders to Shrikant Shinde’s candidacy, Fadnavis affirmed strong support for Shinde, asserting that there is no opposition to his name. The BJP aims to secure Shinde’s victory with a greater margin than in the previous election.

The contest in the Kalyan constituency will see Shrikant Shinde, a sitting MP, facing off against Shiv Sena’s two-time corporator Vaishali Darekar. Darekar, with over two decades of association with the Shiv Sena, holds a Master’s degree in history and is currently preparing for the LLB entrance test. Her political journey includes a stint with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), followed by a return to the Shiv Sena after the party’s formation by Raj Thackeray. She has served as a corporator in the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation and also held the position of leader of opposition in the KDMC during her tenure with the MNS.