No easy debut for Amit Thackeray as Sarvankar stays in Mahim race

With Sarvankar already in the race as the official Mahayuti candidate, there have been appeals from the ruling alliance, including BJP and Sena leaders, urging him to withdraw his nomination in support of Amit. However, Sarvankar has remained resolute in his decision to contest.

On Monday, the final day for withdrawing nominations, speculation arose that Sarvankar might reconsider after meeting with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Speaking to the media that morning, Sarvankar indicated that Shinde had requested him to make a decision regarding his withdrawal. He proposed that if Raj Thackeray withdrew his candidates contesting against the ruling alliance in Mumbai, he would consider stepping down.

Just 30 minutes before the deadline, Sarvankar stated that he intended to meet Raj Thackeray to discuss his decision. However, he claimed that Raj refused to meet him, leaving him no option but to proceed with his candidacy.

“My son and some party officials went to meet Rajsaheb to convey that I wanted to discuss the election. But Raj Thackeray said, ‘I don’t want to say anything. If you want to contest the election, contest it; if you want to withdraw, withdraw. I don’t want to have any discussion on this.’ Since Raj Thackeray refused to meet me, I have no choice as a party worker but to contest the election from Mahim,” Sarvankar said.

The Mahim constituency in central Mumbai is home to the prestigious Shivaji Park, and the undivided Shiv Sena’s headquarters, the Shiv Sena Bhavan, which now serves as the headquarters for the Sena (UBT).