While the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction got its symbol late on Monday and is yet to file nomination, its former ally plans to do it a day prior to deadline; both candidates meeting locals and groups
BJP candidate Murji Patel reaches out to a women’s self-help group
Even as just 20 days are left for the prestigious Andheri East Assembly by-election, the two contenders—the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena and the BJP—are yet to start their official campaigns. Instead, both parties are focussing on personal meetings with influential groups. The work on the campaign agenda and formation of executive teams are on in full swing for both groups.
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The by-election for this Assembly seat, which was rendered vacant after the death of MLA Ramesh Latke, has become a prestige issue as this is the first election after the Sena split.
Sena awaiting symbol
The Thackeray camp has announced Latke’s wife Rutuja Latke as its candidate. However, as the party got its election symbol, a torch, late on Monday after the Election Commission froze the bow-and-arrow symbol, the nomination has not been filed. The party is waiting for the Delhi High Court’s verdict on its appeal against the Election Commission decision.
Sena candidate Rutuja Latke meets local residents and groups
Though the campaign has not been kicked off, the party has started laying the groundwork. “We have started working with our party workers. After the recent split, party workers will work aggressively. We have started contacting people through our personal network,” said Sadanand Parab, former Sena corporator.
Also Read: Mumbai: For Shiv Sena shakhas, Thackeray is still boss
Pramod Sawant, former corporator from Andheri, said that Rutuja Latke has started meeting locals and Ganpati and Navratri mandals. “We are going to people with her name, but the actual campaign will start once we get a party symbol,” Sawant told mid-day ahead of the announcement.
BJP’s plans
The Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Murji Patel is also yet to file nomination. Patel had earlier contested the same seat as an independent candidate in 2019 and lost to Latke who had garnered 62,773 votes as opposed to Patel’s 45,508 votes. Earlier in 2017, both Patel and his wife were elected as corporators but were disqualified due to false caste certificates.
Even as the official campaign is yet to start, Patel has started meeting with influential groups such as women’s self-help groups, Navratri mandals and community groups. “He has a personal connect with people living in the constituency and is involved in many social causes. Though he has been nominated for the election, he hasn’t filed an official nomination and so couldn’t start rallies with party symbols,” said a BJP leader who oversees campaigns in Andheri. Patel is set to file his nomination on October 13, just a day before the deadline.
The BJP has formed its executive committee for the election campaign with former corporator Abhijeet Samant as the chief (prachar pramukh). There are 21 other members in the team. The party will also mobilise its team of building and chawl pramukhs for the campaign.
Cong leaders meet Thackeray Sena
State Congress President Nana Patole and Mumbai Congress President Bhai Jagtap met Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray at Matoshree on Monday. As per sources, the leaders talked about the upcoming civic polls, the Sena party name and election symbol. Congress leaders have announced that they are supporting the Sena in the Andheri by-election.
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