As MNS chief Raj Thackeray decided not to contest the Lok Sabha election and extended support to BJP, competition has now intensified between BJP and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena over South Mumbai. Both parties are eager to contest elections from this constituency.

After the BJP initiated talks with Raj, there was a possibility that MNS would contest elections from Mumbai South. However, with Thackeray’s decision not to contest, both parties are asserting their claims on constituencies. “Marathi voters dominate this constituency. Therefore, if there was an MNS candidate, they could garner more Marathi votes,” said BJP sources.