The alliance between the BJP, the Shiv Sena, and the NCP, known as Mahayuti, seems to have resolved its differences in Maharashtra. According to sources cited by ANI, the alliance will now field a candidate from Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena for the prestigious Thane Lok Sabha seat. The BJP leadership has given its clearance for the Sena to contest this seat, with a formal announcement expected soon.
Sources indicate that the winning potential of a Shiv Sena candidate was a significant factor in conceding the seat to them. Thane Lok Sabha seat, comprising six assembly constituencies, is predominantly occupied by Marathi voters, ensuring the Sena’s strong chances of victory. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, himself an MLA from the Kopri-Pachpakhadi seat, holds considerable influence in the area, previously commanded by his mentor, the late Anant Dighe.
Moreover, the Sena currently holds the Ovala-Majiwada assembly seat, while Shrikant Shinde, Eknath Shinde’s son, represents the neighbouring Kalyan seat in the Lok Sabha. The remaining four assembly seats in the Thane Lok Sabha constituency are under BJP’s control.
The candidate announcement is expected on Wednesday. The BJP’s central leadership has reportedly instructed the state leadership to manage potential contenders for the Thane Lok Sabha seat. Among the front runners from the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena are Ovala MLA Pratap Sarnaik and party spokesperson Naresh Mhaske.
Presently, the Thane Lok Sabha seat is held by three-time MP Rajan Vichare, affiliated with UBT Shiv Sena. Vichare has been nominated again and is actively campaigning, although he faces significant anti-incumbency sentiments and a loss of supporters who recently pledged allegiance to Eknath Shinde.
In the 2019 elections, Rajan Vichare, contesting under the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance, secured victory with 740,969 votes, defeating NCP’s Anand Paranjpe by a margin of 412,145 votes.
The Thane Lok Sabha constituency will go to polls on May 20 in Phase 5, with results announced on June 4. Maharashtra, with 48 Lok Sabha seats, is the second-largest after Uttar Pradesh. In the 2019 elections, the BJP won 23 out of 25 seats contested in alliance with the undivided Shiv Sena. The elections for Maharashtra’s 48 Lok Sabha seats will take place in five phases on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13, and May 20.