Mumbai: Rutuja Latke, Murji Patel file nominations for Andheri East by-election

Rutuja Latke with Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray before filing her nomination

On Friday, members of the Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) filed nominations for the crucial Andheri East by-election. While the Shiv Sena nominated Rutuja Latke, the BJP along with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena has fielded Murji Patel. The bypoll is on November 3.

This will be the first election held after the split in the Shiv Sena following the rebellion by Shinde. The bypoll was necessitated following the demise of Shiv Sena MLA Ramesh Latke.

Rutuja Latke filed the nomination in the presence of party leader Aaditya Thackeray, Gajanan Kirtikar, NCP leader Dilip Walse-Patil and Congress leader Bhai Jagtap. The Thackeray Sena, Congress and NCP workers demonstrated their strength by marching in the Andheri East constituency. Aaditya Thackeray and Jagtap also participated in this march.

Murji Patel with Deepak Kesarkar and Ashish Shelar. Pics/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

After the Bombay High Court order, Latke got her relieving letter from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation on Friday morning. Aaditya Thackeray stated that the by-elections are seen as a litmus test. "Maharashtra has never witnessed such politics," Thackeray Jr said.

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Like the Thackeray Sena, the BJP too exhibited a show of strength when Patel, a former corporator, went to file his nomination. State BJP President Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar, along with minister Deepak Kesarkar (from Shinde Sena), and other BJP leaders from the city joined his rally before Patel filed the nomination. Speaking to the media, Patel stated that his party will win the bypoll as BJP has been working in this constituency for many years. "The BJP will get support from voters. I don't feel this election is a challenge as BJP has good ground connect in this constituency," he said.

"Former corporator Sandeep Naik has also filed his nomination. If Latke's form is rejected by any chance, Naik will be our candidate," said Thackeray Sena's former minister Anil Parab. If Latke's application is accepted, Naik will withdraw his candidature.

Lande greeted with slogans

Shinde Sena minister Deepak Kesarkar and MLA Dilip Lande also came to support BJP candidate Patel. But when Lande reached the Andheri-Ghatkopar Link Road, Thackeray Sena workers became aggressive and started shouting slogans. The police interfered and asked Lande to leave before the situation turned violent.