Milind Deora, an influential leader within Eknath Shinde's faction of the Shiv Sena, has officially launched his campaign to challenge Aaditya Thackeray for the highly contested Worli seat in the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections. This anticipated showdown has garnered attention due to Deora’s recent switch from Congress to the Shinde camp, adding a fresh dynamic to Maharashtra’s evolving political scene. Known for his background as a former Union Minister and his Congress tenure, Deora refutes claims that he is being positioned as a "bali ka bakra" (sacrificial lamb) and asserts that his fight is not personal but aimed at bringing real change to Maharashtra, which he accuses of suffering from stagnated “speed-breaker” politics under previous leadership.
Deora emphasized that his decision to run against Thackeray is not fueled by rivalry, clarifying that he has known Aaditya since he was young and regards him like a “younger brother.” Instead, he views this election as a means to address pressing issues and stalled initiatives, which he claims were mishandled by the previous administration. Highlighting Aaditya Thackeray’s tenure, Deora criticized delays in key infrastructure projects, such as the Mahalaxmi Race Course redevelopment, the costly setbacks in metro expansions, the postponed Vadhvan port project, and the hold-up of a major nuclear power initiative, which he believes have all hindered Maharashtra’s growth.
Having recently left Congress, Deora’s move to Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction follows the political upheaval that began in 2019, when Uddhav Thackeray formed an unexpected coalition with Congress and the NCP, departing from his alliance with the BJP-led Mahayuti coalition. Drawing an analogy, Deora described the unexpected shift as akin to a high-speed vehicle taking an abrupt U-turn, causing a cascade of political instability and disruptions in the state’s governance and development efforts.
Deora also pushed back on suggestions that he lacks a viable chance in the face-off, arguing that his candidacy challenges any assumption that Shinde’s Shiv Sena would easily concede the Worli seat. He stressed that the faction's decision to field a prominent and experienced figure like himself signals a determined bid for victory, pushing against the notion of an automatic win for the Thackeray camp. He also added that his presence in the race would bring necessary attention to the developmental setbacks Maharashtra has experienced under prior administrations.
At 47, Deora is combining his experience to reinvigorate Maharashtra’s political landscape, focusing on breaking through bureaucratic delays and spurring more efficient governance. He is confident that the upcoming elections will steer Maharashtra towards a more productive future. Voting for the Maharashtra Assembly’s 288 seats is scheduled for November 20, with results expected to be announced on November 23, marking a key moment in determining the state’s political trajectory and development strategy.
