Tensions rise as parties strive for electoral dominance in Mumbai ahead of general elections
In the 2019 elections, Shiv Sena secured victories in 3 seats. Pic/Pradeep Dhivar
While seat-sharing within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is nearing completion, there are still nine parliamentary seats yet to be finalised out of the total 48 in the state. Among these, two seats in Mumbai have become points of contention within the India Alliance bloc. Despite Congress failing to secure any seats in Mumbai during the 2019 elections, they now want an equal share in the seat-sharing formula.
Shiv Sena (UBT) is set to contest in South Mumbai and North East Mumbai, while Congress will field candidates in North Mumbai and North Central Mumbai. However, a dispute remains unresolved for the North West Mumbai and South Central Mumbai constituencies.
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In the 2019 elections, Shiv Sena secured victories in three seats: South Mumbai, South Central Mumbai, and North West Mumbai. Currently, Gajanan Kirtikar, MP of North West Mumbai, and Rahul Shewale, MP of South Central Mumbai, are aligned with Ekanth Shinde’s Shiv Sena. Arvind Sawant, MP of South Mumbai, is associated with UBT. Additionally, UBT will contest the North East Constituency, where they previously had not contested an election. Currently, this seat is held by a BJP MP.
Sources indicate that UBT has demanded four constituencies, including the three where Shiv Sena is contesting, along with the North East Constituency. On the other hand, Congress has put forth claims for three constituencies, including one in North West Mumbai and one in South Central Mumbai. However, UBT is reluctant to share these seats, asserting that they have won these constituencies previously.
Despite the split within Shiv Sena, nine MLAs and one MP from Mumbai remain with UBT, while Congress is yet to secure victory in any constituency over the past two elections. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) has announced observers for the 19 constituencies in the state, including the four constituencies in Mumbai potentially sending a message to the MVA. Congress state president Nana Patole did not respond to calls and messages for comment.
48
No of seats in state
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