It is official. Three-time sitting MLA Sada Sarvankar of the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) will contest from Mahim assembly constituency after Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray refused to meet him on Monday.
There was confusion in Maharashtra's ruling Mahayuti after Raj Thackeray's son Amit Thackeray decided to make his political debut from Mahim. However, incumbent MLA Sada Sarvankar decided not to back out and requested Raj Thackeray to support his desire to contest again.
On Monday, the last day to withdraw nominations for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly polls, there were rumours that Sarvankar may finally withdraw from the race. However, after the MNS chief refused to meet him, the Shiv Sainik confirmed that he would contest the election.
According to Marathi media reports, Sarvankar, accompanied by his son Saadhan and some close aides, tried to meet Raj Thackeray at his residence. "Raj Thackeray said that 'I don't want to say anytjing. If you want to fight (the polls), fight.' So we didn't talk to them. Since they have rejected our visit, we have to contest this election now," Esakal quoted Sarvankar as saying.
