The political landscape in South Mumbai’s Shivdi Assembly constituency is witnessing an intriguing turn of events as the Thackeray faction grapples with internal conflicts over its candidate for the upcoming assembly elections. Once a bastion of Mahavikas Aghadi’s influence, Shivdi now sees intense competition and rising tensions within the Shiv Sena.
Incumbent MLA Ajay Chaudhary, who has represented Shivdi for the past two terms, is aiming for a historic third term. However, his path is obstructed by growing factionalism within the Shiv Sena. Reports suggest that Sudhir Salvi, the Honorary Secretary of the King of Lalbagh and a seasoned Shiv Sena leader, is also vying for the nomination.
The clash between the two contenders has become a hot topic in Shivdi, as both their supporters have been actively promoting their respective candidates through vibrant and contentious posters. Chaudhary’s supporters have circulated posters heralding his potential hat-trick, while Salvi’s team is advocating for a change, highlighting the need for a “youth MLA.”
Salvi, who has served as the Legislative Assembly Coordinator for the Thackeray Group and the South Mumbai Lok Sabha Coordinator, is positioning himself as a viable alternative. His role and longstanding service to the party have made him a formidable challenger to Chaudhary.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has already announced Bala Nandgaonkar as their candidate for Shivdi, adding another layer of complexity to the electoral dynamics.
The Shivdi constituency, traditionally a stronghold for Shiv Sena, is now under scrutiny as the Thackeray group confronts the possibility of a decreased vote share. With internal discord and the MNS candidate posing a challenge, the Thackeray faction’s ability to retain control in Shivdi is being closely watched.
As the assembly elections draw near, the debate over the Thackeray group’s candidate continues to intensify. Will Ajay Chaudhary secure a historic third term, or will Sudhir Salvi emerge as the new face of Shivdi? The answer to this question could significantly impact the overall strategy and outcome of the upcoming elections for the Mahayuti coalition.