Sat Nov 23 09:16:26 UTC 2024: ## Thackeray Holds Lead in Close Worli Assembly Race
**Mumbai, November 20** – The Worli Assembly constituency in Mumbai is witnessing a closely contested election, with Aaditya Thackeray (Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), Sandip Deshpande (MNS), and Milind Deora (Shiv Sena-Eknath Shinde) vying for victory. Initial vote counts showed a fluctuating lead between the three candidates.
Early updates revealed a tight race, with Thackeray initially leading by a small margin, followed by Deora, and Deshpande trailing significantly. However, as counting progressed, Thackeray maintained a lead, though the margin shifted throughout the day. By the 14th round, Thackeray was significantly ahead of Deora, with Deshpande remaining in third place.
The election saw a higher voter turnout than in 2019. The split in the Shiv Sena vote, with Shinde and Thackeray fielding separate candidates, and the potential impact of local BJP workers, were considered factors influencing the outcome. The division of votes between the Shinde faction of Shiv Sena and MNS was seen as potentially benefiting Thackeray.
The final result will determine whether Aaditya Thackeray can secure a second term as MLA in Worli. The race focused on local issues such as the development of Worli Koliwada and BDD chawls, concerns of local fishermen regarding the coastal road project, and slum redevelopment in Premnagar and Jijamata Nagar.
First Piper 