Tensions have flared within the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance over the prestigious Mumbai South seat, a constituency historically represented by prominent figures such as S K Patil, George Fernandes, and Murli Deora. The dispute arises even before the completion of seat-sharing negotiations with the opposition alliance.
Arvind Sawant, a close associate of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, has represented the Mumbai South Lok Sabha seat in the last two terms (2014 and 2019). Milind Deora, who served as a minister in the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government, held the seat in 2004 and 2009.
While the ruling Mahayuti, led by the BJP, is expected to claim the seat, internal divisions are surfacing within the Maha Vikas Aghadi. The Shiv Sena (UBT) asserts that Sawant will contest the Mumbai South seat.
Milind Deora, the AICC Joint Treasurer, emphasized the need for a formal decision before making announcements. He stated in a video message, “I don’t want to create any controversy or get into a debate, but the spokesperson of one of the parties in the MVA asked us (Congress) to start from zero.”
Highlighting the Congress’s historical connection to the Mumbai South seat, Milind Deora said, “This is a traditional seat of the Congress, and for the last 50 years, the Deora family has contested this seat.” Despite not currently holding an MP position, he assured the continued commitment of the Deora family to the residents of South Mumbai.
Milind Deora and his late father, Murli Deora, had both served as Presidents of the Mumbai Congress. Murli Deora represented Mumbai South in 1984, 1989, 1991, and 1998.
In response to Deora’s statement, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief spokesperson Sanjay Raut emphasized Arvind Sawant’s victories in the last two terms from Mumbai South.
