Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress have not reached a solution over seat-sharing in Maharashtra sending speculations of a rift between the two parties which are part of the MVA. Shiv Sena (UBT) on Wednesday declared all its 17 candidates for the Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra declaring names for four out of 6 seats in Mumbai, which upset former Maharashtra unit chief Sanjay Nirupam.
Sanjay Nirupam objected to Uddhav Sena announcing its candidates on 4 seats in Mumbai and “leaving one seat for Congress as charity”. He further said the party deliberately fielded “khichdi chor” candidate from a seat where he was presenting a strong candidature.
Sanjay Nirupam urged his party to call off the alliance with Uddhav Sena in Mumbai, and go for a friendly contest instead.
“The arbitrary manner in which Shiv Sena (UBT) has announced candidates on 4 out of the 6 Lok Sabha seats in Mumbai, I have inputs that they are about to announce the name of the candidate on the 5th seat i.e., on North Mumbai as well – this has upset the Congress cadre,” Nirupam said, according to an ANI report.
“Mumbai Congress leadership is very upset. Voters of Congress will also be upset due to the same. I would like to demand from our top leadership that they should take a stand against this decision of the Shiv Sena,” he added.
“Congress leadership will have to take a stand. There are just two options – First, break off the alliance. Second, have a friendly fight. Congress should field candidates for the seats on which we have a dispute and have not reached a solution,” Nirupam further said.
Shiv Sena (UBT) has fielded Arvind Sawant from South Mumbai, Amol Kirtikar from Mumbai North-West, Sanjay Patil from Mumbai North-East and Anil Desai from Mumbai South-Central.
According to reports, Mumbai Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad is also upset with Uddhav Sena’s candidate list as she aspired to contest from Mumbai South Central.
History of Lok Sabha Battle in Mumbai Constituencies
- Mumbai North West: Shiv Sena’s Gajanan Chandrakant Kirtikar won in 2014 defeating Congress’ Gurudas Vasant Kamat. In 2019, Shiv Sena’s Gajanan Chandrakant Kirtikar emerged victorious again defeating Congress’ Sanjay Nirupam.
- Mumbai North East: In 2014, BJP’s Dr Kirit Somaiya registered a victory against NCP leader Sanjay Dina Patil, who was defeated once again in 2019 by BJP’s Manoj Kishorbhai Kotak.
- Mumbai North Central: BJP’s Poonam Mahajan won in 2014 defeating Congress’ Priya Sunil Dutt. The same result was repeated in 2019.
- Mumbai South Central: Shiv Sena’s Rahul Ramesh Shewale won over Congress’ Eknath Mahadeo Gaikwad in 2014 and 2019.
- Mumbai North: BJP’s Gopal Chinayya Shetty defeated Sanjay Nirupam in 2014 and Congress’ Urmila Matondkar in 2019.
- Mumbai South: Shiv Sena’s Arvind Ganpat Sawant defeated Milind Deora in 2014 and 2019.
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