As the seat-sharing standoff in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) continues, with just two days left before Maharashtra Assembly election nominations close, some Mumbai Congress members are unhappy about the seat distribution as they have not been allocated their preferred constituencies, leading to concerns about favouritism and the selection process.
Some party members have raised concerns over “favouritism” in candidate selection, but Mumbai Congress President Varsha Gaikwad dismissed these reports as rumours spread by “people with vested interests.” The dissatisfied members claim the leadership failed to secure “respectable seats” and allege favouritism towards certain leaders and their relatives.
For example, sitting MLAs Aslam Sheikh and Amin Patel of Congress will continue in their current constituencies of Malad West and Mumbadevi. Gaikwad’s sister, Jyoti received the Dharavi constituency, despite internal opposition. Former minister Naseem Khan was given the Chandivli seat. Congress was unable to secure seats such as Versova, Bandra East, and Byculla from Shiv Sena (UBT), although some members had shown interest in these areas.
Congress leader Sachin Sawant, initially nominated for Andheri West, requested the leadership to reconsider. Sawant Said, “I asked for a ticket from Bandra East. In the seat-sharing arrangement, the seat went to our ally. I thank my party leadership for considering me as a candidate from Andheri West. However, I have requested the leadership to change the decision.” Gaikwad confirmed that Sawant’s request was forwarded to the high command.
There was initial reluctance from other candidates as well. Former corporator Asif Zakaria, nominated for Bandra West against BJP’s Ashish Shelar, was hesitant but eventually agreed after encouragement from senior leaders. In Charkop, Congress candidate Yashwant Singh had also initially requested a different constituency, Kandivali East, due to its large North Indian population but ultimately agreed to contest in Charkop.
Gaikwad emphasized that tickets were awarded based on merit. “Those who are miffed or haven’t got a ticket might say anything. But ultimately, we give tickets to those who can fight to win,” she said.
Initially the Congress requested 18 out of Mumbai’s 36 Assembly seats, but it looks likely they’ll end up contesting only 10. According to Gaikwad, this request was based on recent Lok Sabha poll results, where Congress won one of the two Mumbai seats it contested. Although candidates have been announced for nine constituencies, the Congress is expected to secure just one additional seat.