The Maharashtra Assembly election is not just a battle of prestige for the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena and Eknath Shinde faction, but an acid test that will decide the ‘real’ Shiv Sena in 49 constituencies where they are in direct competition.
Out of the 49 contested seats, the two factions are battling it out in 19 constituencies from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), 11 seats from Mumbai city and suburban districts, 8 seats each from Marathwada and Konkan, 6 seats from Vidarbha, and 4 seats each from North Maharashtra and Western Maharashtra.
The competition is especially significant after the rebellion led by Eknath Shinde’s faction, which managed to secure the Shiv Sena name and the bow-and-arrow symbol during a court battle. Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray’s faction retained the “SS (UBT)” name and the flaming torch symbol as their election identity.
Winning a majority of these 49 seats, particularly in Mumbai, holds immense importance for both factions. A strong showing will not only help in the formation of a new government but will also play a key role in the upcoming BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, as both factions strive to gain control of India’s richest municipal body, currently under administrator rule. The BMC elections are expected to take place soon after the state government is formed.
The stakes are high in Mumbai, with 11 key seats where both factions are directly contesting. Some of the prominent clashes include:
Besides Mumbai, both factions are also contesting fiercely in other regions like Konkan, Marathwada, and Vidarbha. For example, in Ratnagiri, Uday Samant (SS) is taking on Bal Mane (SS UBT), while in Kudal, Nilesh Rane (SS) faces Vaibhav Naik (SS UBT). Other important contests are taking place in districts like Sawantwadi, Karjat, Palghar, and Bhiwandi Rural.
Both factions have focused their campaigns on legacy, power, and Hindutva. Uddhav Thackeray’s faction has attacked Eknath Shinde for betraying the Shiv Sena to gain power, accusing him of abandoning the principles of founder Balasaheb Thackeray and aligning with the BJP’s version of Hindutva. Thackeray has called Shinde’s alliance with BJP a move for political power, accusing him of following a “fake” form of Hindutva.
On the other hand, Shinde’s faction has criticized Uddhav Thackeray for partnering with Congress and NCP, parties that, according to them, do not uphold the core values of Hindutva. Shinde’s group claims Thackeray’s move has insulted the legacy of figures like Veer Savarkar, which has become a major talking point in their campaign.
The election outcome will decide which faction holds greater influence within the party and will play a crucial role in negotiations for government formation. Both factions are striving to win as many seats as possible, particularly in Mumbai, to strengthen their bargaining position for future political maneuvers.
In addition to the high-profile Mumbai contests, the factions are also focusing on regions like Parbhani, Vaijapur, and Malegaon, where the battle for dominance continues to intensify.
Also Read: Maharashtra Records 65.11% Voter Turnout In Assembly Elections, Marking A 30-Year High
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