Mumbai: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is grappling with significant challenges in its quest to establish a government in Maharashtra as dissatisfaction mounts among its veteran leaders and ticket contenders. With elections for the 288-seat Maharashtra Assembly on the horizon, the focus has turned to the 36 crucial assembly seats in Mumbai, where the BJP is preparing for a fierce competition against the Congress alliance.
Former Member of Parliament and prominent Mumbai BJP leader, Kirit Somaiya, has publicly expressed his discontent with the party. Despite being appointed as the coordinator of the campaign committee for Maharashtra, Somaiya has declined the role, citing feelings of being sidelined since 2019, when he last held a significant position within the party.
Somaiya’s frustration is palpable as he anticipated receiving a ticket for the upcoming 2024 elections, yet was not nominated. Renowned among party workers in Mumbai, he is regarded as an activist politician whose influence is hard to overlook.
As the election draws closer, several ticket contenders in Mumbai have begun to assert their positions, with reports indicating that the BJP’s election in-charge, Bhupender Yadav, is confronted with potential rebellions from veteran leaders across at least four crucial seats. High-profile disputes are emerging in areas such as Borivali, Ghatkopar East, and Vile Parle.
For instance, former minister Prakash Mehta from Ghatkopar East is making a strong bid to replace sitting MLA Parag Shah, following the party’s decision to cut his ticket in 2019. This time, Mehta is determined to reclaim his position and has intensified his campaign.
The dynamics have shifted since the last elections, where the BJP contested 16 out of the 36 seats in Mumbai, while the Shiv Sena fielded candidates in the remaining 20. As the political landscape evolves, three parties are now laying claim to these crucial seats, with Ajit Pawar’s faction also seeking to stake a claim on the seats the BJP previously contested.
In the 2019 elections, the NDA secured a remarkable 32 seats in Mumbai, while the Shiv Sena emerged victorious in 17. The stakes are high as the BJP prepares for an intense electoral battle ahead.
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