Sena’s Sarvankar seeks Raj’s support in Mahim; BJP firm on backing MNS chief’s son

Shiv Sena candidate urges Raj Thackeray to withdraw from Mahim race, sparking political tensions in Maharashtra.

Shiv Sena’s Mahim candidate Sadanand Sarvnakar on Wednesday (October 30, 2024) asked Raj Thackeray not to do injustice to him by urging the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief to withdraw from the electoral race where the latter's son Amit Thackeray is also in the fray.

His remarks came after Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) still wants to throw its weight behind debutant Mr. Amit Thackeray in the seat in south-central Mumbai, which the ruling Shiv Sena is also contesting.

In a post on the social media platform X, Mr. Sarvankar said he has been a Shiv Sena worker for 40 years and has become MLA three times through hard work. Had the late Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray been there, he would not have asked him to abandon the seat for his relatives, Mr. Sarvankar said.

Mr. Sarvankar said Bal Thackeray’s relatives live in Dadar-Mahim yet he picked an ordinary worker like him.

Mr. Sarvankar cited the example of Eknath Shinde’s son Shrikant, who in spite of becoming an MP three times was not made a Minister at the Centre. Instead, that opportunity was given to a loyal Shiv Sainik, Mr. Sarvankar said, referring to Union Minister and Sena leader Prataprao Jadhav.

“I will request Raj Saheb [Thackeray] not to do injustice to a worker like me. Please extend your support to me,” Mr. Sarvankar said.

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