in mumbai, Upcoming Parliament elections have become even more intense Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) is set to be a decisive factor in the financial capital’s 36 Assembly seats.

Unlike Asaduddin Owaisi-led All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, MNS did not contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, instead offering unconditional support to the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

But, MNS’s decision to nominate candidates for 25 seats in the Parliament The situation in Mumbai currently poses a significant challenge to both the BJP and the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde), which holds a majority in the city.

While the BJP is contesting on 17 seats in Mumbai, the Shinde Sena is contesting on 16 seats. Notably, the MNS has fielded candidates against the BJP and Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) candidates in 22 of these seats, intensifying the competition and raising concerns about a possible split. Vote share of the ruling Mahayuti coalition.

Specifically, MNS is fielding candidates against 12 Shiv Sena seats led by Eknath Shinde and 10 seats contested by BJP. In Sewree constituency, where Mahayuti has not fielded a candidate, MNS leader Bala Nandgaonkar is the only candidate who has the support of the ruling coalition.

The contests in Mumbai’s Mahim and Worli constituencies have already generated a lot of interest. Mahim, in particular, has become a battleground with MNS leader and Raj Thackeray’s Amit Thackeray challenging Sada Sarvankar from Eknath Shinde’s party, setting the stage for a triangular contest.

In Worli, MNS candidate Sandeep Deshpande is facing a tough race against Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray and Shinde Sena’s Milind Deora.

Despite their widespread objections, the MNS has strategically chosen not to challenge high-profile BJP figures like city Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar (Colaba), Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar (Bandra West), state BJP treasurer Mihir Kotecha (Mulund). and other prominent leaders like Mangal Prabhat Lodha (Malabar Hill).

Key seats contested by MNS include Mahim, Worli, Magathane, Kurla, Chandivali, Bhandup and Vikhroli. Analysts believe that any vote shift towards MNS in these regions could affect both the Mahayuti and MVA alliances.

COMPLETE LIST OF MEETING SEATS IN MUMBAI

• Colaba: Rahul Narwekar (BJP) – no MNS candidate
• Malabar Hill: Mangal Prabhat Lodha (BJP) – No MNS candidate
• Mumbadevi: Shaina NC (Shiv Sena)
• Byculla: Yamini Jadhav (Shiv Sena)
• Worli: Milind Deora (Shiv Sena) vs Sandeep Deshpande (MNS)
• Sewer: Bala Nandgaonkar (MNS) – Mahayuti backed
• Mahim: Sada Sarvankar (Shiv Sena) vs. Amit Thackeray (MNS)
• Wadala: Kalidas Kolambkar (BJP) vs. Snehal Jadhav (MNS)
• Dharavi: Rajesh Khandare (Shiv Sena) – no MNS candidate
• Kurla: Mangesh Kudalkar (Shiv Sena) vs Pradeep Waghmare (MNS)
• Bandra (West): Ashish Shelar (BJP) – no MNS candidate
• Bandra (East): Zeeshan Siddique (NCP) and Trupti Sawant (MNS)
• Chandivali: Dilip Lande (Shiv Sena) vs Mahendra Bhanushali (MNS)
• Chembur: Tukaram Kathe (Shiv Sena) vs Mauli Thorve (MNS)
• Anushakti Nagar: Sana Malik (NCP) – No MNS candidate
• Vile Parle: Parag Alawni (BJP) vs Juilee Shende (MNS)
• Andheri West: Ameet Satam (BJP) – no MNS candidate
• Versova: Bharti Lavekar (BJP) vs. Sandesh Desai (MNS)
• Goregaon: Vidya Thakur (BJP) and Virendra Jadav (MNS)
• Kandivali East: Atul Bhatkhalkar (BJP) and Mahesh Pharkase (MNS)
• Dindoshi: Sanjay Nirupam (Shiv Sena) vs Bhaskar Parab (MNS)
• Jogeshwari East: Manisha Waikar (Shiv Sena) against Bhalchandra Ambure (MNS)
• Charkop: Yogesh Sagar (BJP) against Dinesh Salvi (MNS)
• Malad West: Vinod Shelar (BJP) – no MNS candidate
• Borivali: Sanjay Upadhyaye (BJP) against Kunal Mainkar (MNS)
• Dahisar: Manisha Chaudhary (BJP) against Rajesh Yerunkar (MNS)
• Mulund: Mihir Kotecha (BJP) – No MNS candidate
• Bhandup West: Ashok Patil (Shiv Sena) vs Shirish Sawant (MNS)
• Vikhroli: Suvarna Karanje (Shiv Sena) vs Vishwajit Dolam (MNS)
• Kalina: Amarjeet Singh (RPI-BJP) and Sandeep Hutgi (MNS)
• Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar: Suresh Patil (Shiv Sena) against Jagdish Khandekar (MNS)
• Ghatkopar West: Ram Kadam (BJP) and Ganesh Chukkal (MNS)
• Ghatkopar East: Parag Shah (BJP) and Sandeep Kulthe (MNS)
• Andheri East: Murji Patel (Shiv Sena) – no MNS candidate
• Magathane: Prakash Surve (Shiv Sena) and Nayan Kadam (MNS)
• Sion Koliwada: Captain Tamil Selvan (BJP) – No MNS candidate

The Maharashtra Assembly elections will be held on November 20 and the counting of votes for all 288 constituencies will be held on November 23.

In the 2019 assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, the Shiv Sena 56 and the Congress 44 seats. In 2014, BJP won 122 seats, Shiv Sena 63 and Congress 42 seats.