The Andheri East bypoll is extremely important for Uddhav and Shinde factions since it is the first election after the spilt of Shiv Sena.
The winner of Andheri East bypoll will also have a huge impact on the upcoming civic polls in Mumbai.
BJP's Murji Patel was seen along with top BJP leaders on Friday. In a show of strength, Patel was accompanied by the BJP's Mumbai unit president Ashish Shelar, party MLC Pravin Darekar and MLA Nitesh Rane. Deepak Kesarkar, minister and spokesperson of the Eknath Shinde camp was also present.
Rutuja Latke, wife of late MLA Ramesh Latke, was accompanied by Aaditya Thackeray and many party workers and post holders. The bypoll would be the first electoral test for the Thackeray faction following the rebellion and consequent split in the party in June this year.
Murji Patel had unsuccessfully contested the 2019 Assembly polls from the same seat against late Shiv Sena MLA Ramesh Latke. The Andheri East constituency is said to be a strong hold of Sena.
ADVERTISEMENT
