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The recent Maharashtra assembly elections showcased a dramatic contrast in the fortunes of Aaditya and Amit Thackeray, cousins vying for political dominance in the state. Aaditya, the incumbent MLA for Worli, secured a resounding victory, while Amit, contesting his first election in Mahim, suffered a significant defeat, finishing a distant third. This stark difference in their electoral performance underscores the intricate and often unpredictable nature of familial politics in India, particularly within the powerful Thackeray clan that has shaped Maharashtra's political landscape for nearly five decades. The key to understanding their contrasting fates lies not just in their individual campaigns, but in the strategic moves, or lack thereof, by their respective uncles: Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray.
Aaditya Thackeray's victory in Worli was far from guaranteed. He faced a formidable opponent in Milind Deora, a heavyweight from the Congress party with deep-rooted connections and influence in the Mumbai South region. Deora's political stature and experience posed a significant challenge, especially considering that although Aaditya had won the seat previously with an impressive 72.7% vote share, the political landscape had shifted considerably. However, a crucial factor in Aaditya's success was the unexpected intervention of his uncle, Raj Thackeray, and his Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). In a strategic move, the MNS fielded a candidate, Sandeep Deshpande, in Worli. While the MNS did not contest the seat in 2019, this time their presence split the anti-Aaditya vote, drawing support away from Deora. This proved decisive; Deshpande's votes, which totaled 18,858, likely would have otherwise gone to Deora, shifting the balance in Aaditya's favor. The final tallies saw Aaditya securing 60,606 votes, edging out Deora by over 8,000 votes.
In stark contrast to Aaditya's victory, Amit Thackeray's campaign in Mahim ended in disappointment. The Mahim constituency, like Worli, has traditionally been a stronghold of the Shiv Sena, further highlighting the complex family dynamics at play. Amit faced a three-way contest involving candidates from the Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena, the Uddhav Thackeray faction (UBT), and the MNS. While the exact vote counts may vary slightly depending on final results, the outcome showed Mahesh Sawant of the UBT faction leading, followed by Sada Sarvankar of the Shinde Sena. Amit, meanwhile, was relegated to a distant third. This outcome can be directly linked to the decision by Uddhav Thackeray to field a candidate from the UBT faction in Mahim, directly competing with his nephew. This internal competition within the family divided the traditional Shiv Sena vote bank. Had Uddhav's faction not contested the seat, Amit's chances of winning his first electoral battle would have been significantly enhanced. This highlights the critical role played by factionalism within the Thackeray family and the potential for such divisions to undermine electoral prospects.
The contrasting experiences of Aaditya and Amit underscore the complex interplay of family loyalties, political strategy, and electoral dynamics in India. Aaditya benefited from the calculated move by his uncle Raj, a strategic decision that ultimately secured his victory. Conversely, Amit's loss directly points to the detrimental effects of internal family conflicts and a divided vote base, directly influenced by the actions of his uncle, Uddhav. These elections showcased not only the continuing relevance of the Thackeray family in Maharashtra's political landscape but also the delicate balance between familial ties and political ambition. The outcomes highlight how effective political maneuvering, both within and outside the family, can have a profound effect on electoral success or failure. The rivalry and unexpected alliances demonstrate a case study in the complexities of Indian politics and the enduring power of family legacies.
Source: Aaditya Thackeray has uncle Raj to thank, Amit has uncle Uddhav to blame