Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Dec 31: The Thackeray faction of Shiv Sena and the MNS are set to contest elections together in Mumbai, but confusion has emerged as both parties field candidates in the same wards. The Shiv Sena Thackeray group is contesting 163 seats, MNS 53 seats, while the NCP has been allocated 11 seats.
In a surprising turn, in Ward 81, candidates from both parties have filed nominations against each other. Mohini Dhamane represents the Thackeray group, while Shabnam Sheikh is the official MNS candidate. Sheikh’s nomination was submitted only yesterday afternoon, but she had initially been advised not to file late at night around 11:30 pm.
The seat had also seen claims from the Thackeray group, but they were later instructed to submit the nomination. With both candidates now in the fray, party workers are reportedly in a dilemma over whom to support, raising questions about whether one candidate will be asked to withdraw.
Similar clashes within the alliance have been noted in other wards:
• 95 Chandrashekhar Vayangankar – Thackeray (official candidate Hari Shastri – Thackeray)
• 106 Sagar Devre – Thackeray (official candidate Satyavan Dalvi – MNS)
• 114 Anisha Majgaonkar – MNS (official candidate Rajol Patil – Thackeray)
• 169 Kamalakar Naik – Thackeray (official candidate Pravina Morzakar – Thackeray)
• 193 Suryakant Koli – Thackeray (official candidate Hemangi Varlikar – Thackeray)
• 196 Sangita Jagtap – Thackeray (official candidate Padmaja Chemburkar – Thackeray)
• 202 Vijay Indulkar – Thackeray (official candidate Shraddha Jadhav – Thackeray)
• 203 Divya Badwe – Thackeray (official candidate Bharti Pednekar – Thackeray)
Adding to the complexity, Kesharben Patel, wife of Shiv Sena Shinde faction MLA Murji Patel, has filed her nomination from Ward 81 on behalf of the BJP. Her nomination was submitted in the presence of a large gathering of both Shiv Sena Shinde faction and BJP workers in Andheri. Murji Patel claimed her candidacy is based on her work and public trust, asserting confidence in her victory.
The development has heightened political intrigue in the ward, leaving party workers and voters watching closely as the alliance faces internal challenges.