Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) has announced its first candidate list for the Maharashtra Assembly elections on Wednesday, featuring 65 names. Shiv Sena UBT has largely retained those loyal MLAs who stood by them despite Eknath Shinde's rebellion in June 2022. The party has also announced a candidate against Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Indeed, the Kopari Pachpakhadi assembly seat has emerged as a focal point of contention in Maharashtra. Here, Uddhav Shiv Sena has launched a strategic challenge against Chief Minister Eknath Shinde by fielding a candidate who challenges his roots—Kedar Dighe, the nephew of Anand Dighe, revered by Shinde as his ideal and political mentor.
Who Was Anand Dighe?
Anand Dighe was closely associated with Balasaheb Thackeray and was a dominant figure in Thane district during the '80s and '90s. Political analysts highlight Dighe’s significant role in expanding Shiv Sena's reach into every household in Thane. Eknath Shinde frequently references Anand Dighe in his speeches, acknowledging his guidance in shaping his political journey. Shinde is known to refer to Anand Dighe as his guru.
Thackeray Grants Tickets to Loyal MLAs
The opposition coalition, Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), finalized its seat-sharing formula for the assembly elections today. Comprising Congress, Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction), and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), the coalition has agreed to field candidates on 85 seats each. Consequently, Thackeray's Shiv Sena released its initial list, reaffirming tickets to almost all MLAs who had supported them against Shinde’s rebellion in June 2022. Aditya Thackeray will once again contest from Mumbai's Worli seat, while Varun Sardesai has been nominated for the Bandra East constituency.
In a joint press conference on seat sharing in Mumbai, Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole remarked, “Under Sharad Pawar's leadership, the MVA convened today, agreeing that each of the three parties would contest 85 seats. An additional 18 seats will be allocated to smaller allies, including the Samajwadi Party and Shekap, with arrangements to be finalized by tomorrow. We are contesting as Maha Vikas Aghadi and are confident of forming the government.”
Elections Scheduled for November 20
The electoral battle for Maharashtra’s 288 assembly seats is set for November 20, with results to be announced on November 23. In the previous elections, BJP secured 105 seats, Shiv Sena won 56, NCP achieved 54, and Congress took 44 seats. However, post-election, Shiv Sena parted ways with the NDA and formed a government with NCP and Congress, with Uddhav Thackeray becoming the Chief Minister. Internal conflict struck Shiv Sena in June 2022, as Eknath Shinde led a breakaway faction with 40 MLAs. With BJP's support, Shinde became the Chief Minister. This led to Shiv Sena's split into two factions, and Sharad Pawar's NCP also divided into factions under Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar.
