As the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections approach, the Worli constituency is emerging as one of the most fiercely contested seats in the state. Aaditya Thackeray, the first member of the Thackeray family to contest and win from this constituency in 2014, is preparing for what is expected to be a high-voltage electoral battle. Following the split in the Shiv Sena, the Eknath Shinde faction and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are set to mount a strong challenge against him, raising the stakes in this politically significant seat.
In the 2019 elections, Aaditya Thackeray comfortably secured the Worli seat with 89,248 votes. His victory was largely unchallenged as the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) did not field a candidate. However, this time around, the dynamics have shifted. The MNS is considering putting forward Sandeep Deshpande as their candidate, and there is also speculation about BJP’s Shaina NC entering the race. Some MNS workers have even requested Amit Thackeray to consider contesting from Worli, which would add further intrigue to the contest.
While the Shinde faction has yet to announce a strong contender, they have reportedly struggled to attract a key leader from Aaditya Thackeray’s camp. According to sources, a prominent leader from the Thackeray faction was offered a ticket by the Shinde Sena but declined to leave the Thackeray fold. This has left the Shinde camp searching for a suitable candidate to take on Aaditya in the upcoming election. If they fail to find one, it is speculated that the BJP may field a candidate to challenge the young leader.
The Worli constituency is one of Mumbai’s most diverse, encompassing a mix of elite high-rises and large chawls, home to both the working-class population and the affluent. Covering areas such as the Mahalaxmi Racecourse, Arthur Road Jail, and Mumbai’s largest dhobi ghat, the constituency also has a significant Gujarati community and residents from across Maharashtra. The redevelopment of the BDD chawls, a key issue for many voters, will play a crucial role in shaping the outcome of the election.
In 2014, the Shiv Sena’s Sunil Shinde held the Worli seat, making it a safe constituency for Aaditya Thackeray to contest in 2019. However, with the Shiv Sena now divided, the Shinde faction’s reluctance to cede this seat to the BJP could complicate their strategy. Sources suggest that Eknath Shinde is hesitant to hand over the constituency to the BJP, but without a strong Shinde Sena candidate, the seat could potentially be passed to BJP’s Shaina NC or another candidate.
With the MNS, BJP, and the Shinde faction all eyeing the Worli seat, this election promises to be a high-stakes contest that could reshape political alliances and alter the balance of power in Maharashtra’s political landscape. As the election date draws closer, all eyes will be on Worli, with voters set to witness a fierce battle for one of Mumbai’s most coveted constituencies.