As the ongoing general election moves towards its third phase on May 7, Maharashtra’s ruling Mahayuti alliance is yet to resolve the issue of the Mumbai South Lok Sabha seat. The tug of war continues between allies Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party, each claiming the seat.
Earlier, this constituency would see a tussle between the BJP and Congress. However, for the past 10 years, the undivided Shiv Sena has won this seat against the Congress. So, this time, the Shiv Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde, is staking a claim. But the BJP, with its target of “400 paar“, is unwilling to compromise.
Both parties have two potential candidates each, and they have begun meeting their local workers and supporters independently. The Shiv Sena’s newly inducted Rajya Sabha member Milind Deora and South Mumbai MLA Yamini Jadhav are interested in contesting this election. The BJP’s two heavyweights, cabinet minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha and state assembly speaker Rahul Narvekar, have also expressed interest, said sources.
The Shiv Sena and BJP both believe that the agenda of Hindutva will resonate in this constituency. So the two parties are positioning themselves as champions of Hindutva. Observers say it would be of great interest to see who will secure this seat and how the Hindutva agenda will sway the voters of South Mumbai to support Mahayuti.
The opposition alliance Maha Vikas Aghadi’s candidate Arvind Sawant though began his campaign in the constituency a month ago. Shiv Sena (Ushhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Aaditya Thackeray had announced Sawant’s candidacy before the MVA’s talks were finalised, leading to the exit of Congress leader and former area MP Milind Deora from the party. He later joined Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena.
Campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections has intensified in South Mumbai, a constituency crucial for both alliances. The constituency holds significant political importance in Maharashtra, being home to businessmen, government officials, and the headquarters of various government agencies, banks, the state government secretariat, and the legislative assembly.
Despite the Mahayuti’s belief that only the agenda of Hindutva will work, observers say there is a sizable pocket of Muslim votes that may play a crucial role. Many previously elected members from this constituency have been appointed ministers at the Centre, including Murli Deora, Jayawantiben Mehta, Milind Deora, and Arvind Sawant.
It will, however, be tough for chief minister Eknath Shinde to choose one candidate from the two potential contenders. Milind Deora, who recently joined the party and was rewarded with a Rajya Sabha seat, has a strong influence and personal connection with Marathi and Muslim voters, as this seat has a family legacy. Yamini Jadhav also enjoys a strong rapport with Muslim voters of Mazgaon and Byculla, along with hardcore Shiv Sena supporters of South Mumbai. However, voters are aware of the reasons why Yamini Jadhav and her husband Yashwant Jadhav joined the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, say observers, which may work against her. Additionally, Milind joining Shinde’s camp has not been received well by the Muslim community in South Mumbai.
Sources within the Mahayuti also indicate that this is why the BJP is staking its claim on the seat, with leaders Rahul Narvekar and Mangal Prabhat Lodha both holding significant sway in the constituency and currently occupying crucial offices in the state government. It will be interesting to see how quickly the Mahayuti decides its candidate and attempts to catch up with the opposition in campaigning.
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