MNS chief Raj Thackeray’s son Amit Thackeray will have his task cut out on his electoral debut in the forthcoming Vidhan Sabha polls in Maharashtra as Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena candidate and incumbent MLA Sada Sarvankar on Monday decided not to withdraw his nomination from the Mahim constituency. Amit Thackeray has been pitted against three-time MLA Sarvankar and Mahesh Sawant, who has been fielded by Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT). The MNS is not a part of the Mahayuti, which comprises the BJP, Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar’s NCP.
However, the BJP leaders said they wanted to back Amit Thackeray and asked Sarvankar to withdraw in Mahim. November 4 was the last day of withdrawal of nominations. Sarvankar said he was asked by Chief Minister Shinde to meet Raj Thackeray and accept his decision no matter what.
Sarvankar on Monday noon had gone to meet Raj Thackeray at the latter's Shivaji Park residence in Dadar. However, according to the MLA, Raj refused to meet him and conveyed that he was not interested to have discussions and the Shiv Sena leader was free to contest against his son. “I have the highest regard for Raj Thackeray.
I would have followed his orders had he met me once. But now I am firm on my decision to contest as a Mahayuti candidate and I will work for the people of Mahim,” Sarvankar said. Meanwhile, in a relief to the BJP, senior party leader and former MP Gopal Shetty has agreed to withdraw his nomination as a rebel candidate from Borivali seat.
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