One of the most keenly fought political battles in Maharashtra Elections 2024 is taking the shape of Sena versus Sena as is reflected in the Worli clash where Aaditya Thackeray is leading Milind Deora by 6,120 votes till Saturday afternoon. Represents Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), Aaditya is ahead of Deora, candidate of the Eknath Shinde-led faction, by 6,120 votes. The Election Commission has reported the completion of 12 out of 17 counting rounds.
Initially, Aaditya took an early lead, but the tide briefly turned in Deora’s favor before the younger Thackeray regained momentum. This battle is especially important given the history of both candidates. Aaditya Thackeray debuted from Worli in 2019, succeeding with an amazing margin of over 67,000 votes.
On the other hand, Deora carries the legacy of the Deora family, which once overpowered the Mumbai (South) Lok Sabha seat. Milind’s father, Murli Deora, won the constituency multiple times, and Milind himself won it twice under Congress before shifting allegiance to the Shinde faction earlier this year.
Maharashtra Elections 2024: Tension flares up between parties
The contest marks a deeper release of tension between the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena and the BJP-Shinde alliance. For his part, Deora has attacked Aaditya’s leadership, saying he is resorting to “speed-breaker politics” and unable to grow the constituency. He said the electorate’s expectations from Aaditya had gradually reduced with time.
Aaditya, however, has countered by framing the battle as one between hollow promises and genuine leadership. He accused the BJP and Shinde faction of looting Maharashtra and emphasized the public’s growing disillusionment with the ruling coalition, citing the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi’s strong performance in the Lok Sabha polls earlier this year.
As the final rounds of counting begin, all eyes are on Worli. A Thackeray win here may establish Aaditya Thackeray once again as a formidable leader in Maharashtra’s political firmament, while an unexpected win for Deora will send ripples across the region.
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