Can the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena wrest the Worli Assembly constituency from Shiv Sena (UBT)? Worli is considered a VIP constituency, as it is represented by Aaditya Thackeray in state legislature.
Now Deputy CM Eknath Shinde’s son and MP Dr Shrikant Shinde has focused his attention on Worli. He is taking keen interest in solving the problems faced by Worli's residents.
Recently, Worli's residents complained to Dr Shinde and deputy chairman of the legislative council, Sachin Ahir, about their problems with garbage collection, poor sanitation, and unhygienic living conditions in some parts of the constituency.
Dr Shrikant Shinde and Ahir decided to take up the issue immediately. They asked party activists in Worli to carry out a cleanliness survey in the constituency, launched a cleanliness drive, and also took up a beach cleanliness campaign.
“We will not stop with cleaning the beach today. We will prepare a special year-long plan to keep Worli clean and beautiful, and ensure that this campaign continues consistently throughout the year,” said Sachin Ahir.
The campaign is also aimed at pointing out to Worli residents that their MLA, Aaditya Thackeray, was not taking an interest in the welfare of the people in his constituency.
Dr Shrikant Shinde interacted with people from Worli on the day of the Narali Purnima festival and asked party workers to address the grievances of the people.
One of the reasons why Dr Shinde is taking a keen interest in Worli is the fact that the Shinde Shiv Sena wants to win this constituency in the 2029 Assembly elections and Sachin Ahir could be asked to contest against Aaditya Thackeray then.
It must be remembered that Ahir has had a strong following in Worli since his days in Congress and the NCP. In fact, he was brought over to the United Shiv Sena in order to make sure that Aaditya Thackeray had a trouble-free run in the Assembly polls.
In return, Ahir was made a member of the legislative council. When the Sena split, he had remained with the UBT camp. However, he crossed over to the Shinde Sena recently and has become deputy chairman of the legislative council.
With Ahir parting ways, the Shiv Sena (UBT) stands considerably weakened in the Worli constituency.
The BJP too is taking a keen interest in Worli. It had organised a big Dahi Handi celebration at the Jambori ground on the occasion of Shri Krishna Janmashtami.
CM Devendra Fadnavis was present on the occasion with his deputy Eknath Shinde and Sachin Ahir when this Dahi Handi was broken by Govinda teams.
All these developments are pointing out the fact that the ruling alliance wants to make the 2029 elections very difficult for the Thackeray scion.
In 2024, he had won with a margin of over 8000 votes. Back then, the Shiv Sena had fielded Milind Deora against Aaditya. If Shinde’s party fields Sachin Ahir against Aaditya in 2029, then it could turn out to be a very tightly fought election.
What remains to be seen is whether Aaditya will continue to hold onto Worli three years down the line, or if he will take refuge in a safe constituency elsewhere in Mumbai.
