Maharashtra Assembly Elections: Sena Vs Sena In 47 Constituencies Amid Accusations Of Betrayal And Corruption

A fierce competition is expected between the two Shiv Sena factions across 47 out of Maharashtra’s 288 Assembly seats.

The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena has intensified its criticism of Shiv Sena UBT, accusing it of betraying Balasaheb Thackeray’s Hindutva ideology for gaining power.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena UBT is targeting the Shinde faction, alleging betrayal through its alliance with BJP to form an "unconstitutional" government.

Notably, both Shiv Sena factions have zeroed in on corruption as an issue to attack each other.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who has been criticising Shiv Sena UBT for alleged scams, particularly those linked to the COVID-19 pandemic, plans to escalate his attacks.

On the other hand, the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction has prepared to confront CM Eknath Shinde over alleged corruption cases in various sectors including infrastructure, education, allocation of land for industries and also in awarding tenders for various projects.

Additionally, a verbal clash is expected between the Shiv Sena factions regarding the outflow of capital and investments, notably to Gujarat and other states.

On Tuesday, Shiv Sena UBT launched attacked the Shinde-led government, saying that by sending various industries outside the state, the hatred of Maharashtra is being celebrated here.

However, the Shinde faction is holding the Uddhav Thackeray-led government responsible for losing key investments to other states due to inaction and lack of initiative.

Shiv Sena will put Shiv Sena UBT and the Uddhav Thackeray-led government in the wrong box for losing investors' confidence.

In this context, both factions are trying to secure victories for their candidates in 47 such assembly constituencies.

Of the 47 segments, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde (SS) will take on Shiv Sena's former Thane district chief Anand Dighe's nephew Kedar Dighe (UBT) in Kopri-Pachpakhadi, NDTV reported.

In Worli, Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray will challenge Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP and ex-union minister Milind Deora.

Other notable Mumbai constituency face-offs include Prakash Surve (SS) vs Udesh Patekar (UBT) in Magathane, Suvarna Karanje (SS) vs Sunil Raut (UBT) in Vikhroli, Ashok Patil (SS) vs Ramesh Korgaonkar (UBT) in Bhandup, Manisha Waikar (SS) vs Anant Nar (UBT) in Jogeshwari East, Sanjay Nirupam (SS) vs Sunil Prabhu (UBT) in Dindoshi, Murji Patel (SS) vs Rutuja Latke (UBT) in Andheri East, Tukaram Kate (SS) vs Prakash Phatarphekar (UBT) in Chembur, Mangesh Kudalkar (SS) vs Pravina Manjarekar (UBT) in Kurla, Sada Sarvankar (SS) vs Mahesh Sawant (UBT) in Mahim and Yamini Jadhav (SS) vs Manoj Jamsutkar (UBT) in Byculla.

Additional Sena vs Sena clashes across the state include Chandrakant Sonawane (SS) versus Raju Tadvi (UBT) in Chopada, Sanjay Gaikwad (SS) against Jayashri Shetkari (UBT) in Buldhana, and Sanjay Raimulkar (SS) challenging Siddharth Kharat (UBT) in Mehkar.

Furthermore, constituencies including Aurangabad West, Paithan, and Vaijapur are also set to witness fierce battles between the factions.

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