It's Milind Deora versus Aaditya Thackeray in Worli

The Shiv Sena faction led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has nominated Rajya Sabha MP Milind Deora from Worli for the upcoming assembly elections.

This decision comes a day after Aaditya Thackeray, leader of the Shiv Sena (UBT), submitted his nomination for the same constituency.

Milind Deora, a three-time MP from South Mumbai, has previously been tasked with overseeing the Worli constituency during the Lok Sabha elections.

Although Worli is traditionally Aditya Thackeray's stronghold, the UBT managed only a narrow lead of 6,500 votes.

Both Deora and Thackeray will face competition from Sandeep Deshpande of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena.

On Thursday, Aaditya Thackeray officially filed his nomination for the Worli assembly seat. Speaking to ANI beforehand, he expressed confidence in winning the elections.

“I am very confident that the people will bless me because we are about to form a government in Maharashtra for sure. The atmosphere is positive, and I can feel the love from the people,” he said.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Arvind Sawant echoed this sentiment, asserting that Aaditya Thackeray’s name is well-known across Maharashtra and beyond. “The work he has done has earned him admiration from all corners and he holds a special place in the hearts of the people,” Sawant remarked.

Both the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) -- comprising Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), and Congress -- are ramping up their preparations for the upcoming elections for 288 assembly seats in the state. The ruling Mahayuti alliance includes the BJP, alongside the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) and Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party.

The Maharashtra assembly elections are set for November 20, with counting scheduled for November 23.

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