Mumbai’s Mahim constituency is set to see a tense three-way contest in the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections, as Raj Thackeray’s son, Amit Thackeray, enters the political arena.
The election, scheduled for November 20, will feature candidates from three factions: Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena candidate Sada Sarvankar, Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena candidate Mahesh Sawant, and Amit Thackeray, representing his father’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). Each candidate brings a strong following and political background, intensifying the fight for control over the constituency.
In the days leading up to the election, Sada Sarvankar, a three-time MLA and seasoned political figure, faced mounting speculation regarding his candidacy. Reports suggested that the BJP might be pressuring him to withdraw in favor of Amit Thackeray, who previously supported the BJP in Lok Sabha elections.
However, Sarvankar confirmed that he has been officially endorsed by the Mahayuti alliance, which includes Shinde’s Shiv Sena, Devendra Fadnavis’s BJP, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction.
He expressed his determination to honor the legacy of Bal Thackeray, emphasising the importance of unity among Mahayuti allies in their shared vision for Maharashtra.
Sarvankar, who has represented the Mahim constituency multiple times, said in an interview with India Today that he has the full support of Eknath Shinde, Fadnavis, and Pawar.
Sarvankar believes that his loyalty to Shiv Sena and his track record of working tirelessly for the people make him the right candidate for Mahim. He urged his supporters to stay united, pointing to his long standing relationship with the constituency’s voters.
Eknath Shinde, addressing the rumours surrounding Sarvankar’s nomination, denied any influence from the BJP to remove Sarvankar in favour of Amit Thackeray.
He stated that Sarvankar remains the preferred candidate and clarified that any perceived hesitations about Sarvankar’s candidates were merely rumours. Shinde also emphasised the role of local party workers in sustaining the strength of the Shiv Sena, expressing confidence that they would ensure a successful outcome for their candidate in Mahim.
Reports had indicated that BJP leaders and Chief Minister Shinde might have considered an alliance with the MNS, with some suggesting that if they refrained from fielding Sarvankar, their voter base might shift toward Uddhav Thackeray’s candidate, Mahesh Sawant.
This possibility was ultimately dismissed as Sarvankar’s candidacy was reconfirmed, and he received encouragement from Mahayuti leaders. Sarvankar publicly thanked his supporters and voters for their dedication, underscoring his gratitude to the coalition leaders who affirmed his candidacy.
Earlier, Sarvankar had openly appealed to Raj Thackeray, asking him to reconsider his son’s candidacy for the Mahim seat, urging unity rather than competition.
Sarvankar highlighted his deep commitment to Shiv Sena’s values, referencing his 40-year association with the party and his previous elections as evidence of his dedication.
He also recalled the late Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, expressing his belief that the Shiv Sena patriarch would not have allowed family ties to disrupt the party’s stability.
Mahim’s voting history underscores the competitive nature of the constituency. In the 2019 Assembly elections, MNS candidate Nitin Sardesai gained a significant number of votes, narrowly losing to Congress-backed Sarvankar, who was running under Shiv Sena’s banner at the time.
The election saw close results, reflecting the fragmented yet influential Marathi vote base in Mahim. Previous elections in 2014 and 2009 also witnessed fierce contests between Shiv Sena and MNS, with fluctuating allegiances and frequent shifts between these parties within the Marathi voter base.
Sarvankar’s political journey has been marked by shifts in party allegiance as well. After initially representing Shiv Sena, he switched to Congress following a ticket denial in 2009 but returned to Shiv Sena in 2014.
His return marked a successful campaign in Mahim, with the Shiv Sena vote once again consolidating around him. This year, with Amit Thackeray entering the fray, Sarvankar faces an even more challenging battle as the MNS attempts to capture the attention of Mahim’s Marathi voters.
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