Maharashtra elections 2024: Sena vs Sena vs Sena! Worli set for tense triangular contest

As Maharashtra gears up for Assembly elections all eyes are on the highstakes Worli constituency Aaditya Thackeray the sitting Shiv Sena UBT MLA aims to retain his seat but faces tough competition from Milind Deora a former MP now aligned with the Eknath Shinde faction of Shiv Sena Also contesting is MNS candidate Sandeep Deshpande a former BMC corporator and Raj Thackeray allyWorli is a microcosm of varied demographics comprising affluent neighbourhoods middleclass residential areas slum settlements and traditional Koliwada fishing communitySandeep Deshpande MNSAaditya Thackeray is confident of victoryhellipWhat has Aaditya Thackeray achieved in Worli Potdar Hospital still lacks an ICU and equipment Around 8ndash10 SRA projects are stalled leaving residents without promised rents The expansion of Ganpatrao Patil Marg is stuck causing traffic jams In Worli Koliwada even ambulances and fire trucks struggle to navigate during emergenciesHow do you plan to tackle the pollution issueAs a public representative my top priority will be to protect open spaces green areas and gardens in my constituency We will implement initiatives aimed at mitigating climate change such as tree plantations and other sustainable actionsWhat initiatives or changes do you plan to bring to the constituency if electedWithin 100 days Irsquoll ensure Podar Hospital is fully operational restart stalled SRA projects and build a parallel road in Worli Koliwada A special Development Control Regulation will be introduced for Dharavi BDD chawl issues will be prioritised and PWD funds will be used to repair dilapidated police camp buildingsYou are facing two strong political contendersUnlike them who are known for their fathersrsquo names I am recognised for my work for the people As a true representative I am always accessible and ready to serve the communitymdashthis is my biggest strength and why I believe people will vote for meAaditya Thackeray Shiv Sena UBTHow do you view this triangular fightThis isnrsquot just a triangular fight all candidates deserve equal respect Wersquore all here to serve and win votersrsquo trust However those contesting should step away from cushioned positions like a Rajya Sabha seat Resign firstmdashrelying on such cushioning suggests a lack of seriousnessRival parties are saying Aaditya Thackeray was not active in his constituencyIf that were true they wouldnrsquot need so many rallies People know what Irsquove achievedmdashdelivering the 25yearstalled BDD project reviving slum rehabilitation schemes stuck for 1718 years and supporting chawls with redevelopment Wersquoll prevent the Shinde governmentrsquos plan to turn Worli Koliwada into a slum cluster Our work is visible and we remain actively engaged with the community including highrise residentsWhat are the key issues you plan to address if reelectedI took up the challenge in Worli because it reflects the diversity of India with people from all backgrounds coming here to pursue their dreams Over the past five years wersquove improved footpaths expanded open spaces and worked on housing initiatives across slums chawls Koliwadas and highrises Worli is evolving rapidly and I have more plans for its futureWhat are two issues you successfully addressed in Worli and two you couldnrsquotThe first success was enhancing pedestrian connectivity and transforming neglected spaces into active public areas We also addressed housing issues assisting in the revamp of 100yearold buildings The BDD Chawl project stalled for 25 years was revived under our term with one tower ready for handover soon Several stuck SRA projects also progressed However we couldnrsquot complete an integrated traffic management plan due to delays in the WorliSewri connector now only 57 per cent complete Housing remains a challenge and we plan to introduce a medical concierge for senior citizens linking GPs to households via WhatsAppMilind Deora Shiv Sena Eknath ShindeWhat led you to contest in this assembly electionMy relationship with this area and its people is like a family bond South Mumbai is both my Janma Bhoomi birthplace and Karma Bhoomi workplace I am always happy to serve whether in power or out of powerAaditya Thackeray said you should have resigned as Rajya Sabha MP firstAaditya is a young man To get him elected here they had to displace two local Worli MLAs Outsiders shouldnrsquot be advising others What are the three most pressing issues in Worli that you will addressFirst to avoid making false promises and focus on genuinely helping people Second addressing redevelopment issues which are significant in Mumbai and Worli Lastly to ensure the cityrsquos and the state move forwardWhat about the issues of the Koli communityWhatever the Koli community decides we will support them If they want to preserve Worli Koliwada as a Gaothan traditional village we are here to assist them in any way Regarding cluster development in Koliwada it has been alleged that the Eknath Shinde government is prioritising developers under the guise of developmentThe Opposition is using fear tactics like claiming the racecourse will become a towermdashsomething that hasnrsquot happened Theyrsquove used fear to block projects like Vadhavan Port delayed Navi Mumbai airport and Metro by four years Fear works shortterm but hope is stronger and lies donrsquot lastIf you come to power what will be your first line of actionMy first line of action will be to stay accessible to the people whether Irsquom in power out of power in Parliament or in the Assembly My commitment to the people of South Mumbai remains constantWhat would your solution be to the traffic messTo address Mumbairsquos traffic issues we need efficient public transportation that encourages car users to switch Thatrsquos the real solution other ideas are impractical We need a worldclass Metro system where even those who typically drive cars prefer public transit Thatrsquos how it works in cities like London and New Yorkmdashwhere even the wealthy rely on public transportationAny plans to give Worlikars open and recreational spacesWersquore working on building one of the largest parks in the country at Mahalaxmi Racecourse similar to Central Park Aaditya Thackeray is opposing it because he failed to renew the lease and is now blocking progress