Sat Nov 23 19:37:37 UTC 2024: ## Thackeray Cousins’ Divergent Fortunes Highlight Maharashtra’s Complex Family Politics
**Mumbai, India –** The 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections saw a dramatic split in the fortunes of the Thackeray cousins, Aaditya and Amit, highlighting the intricate web of family politics within the state. While Aaditya secured a second term as MLA from Worli, Amit suffered a significant defeat in his maiden attempt in Mahim. Their contrasting outcomes are largely attributed to the actions of their respective uncles.
Aaditya’s victory in Worli, albeit by a reduced margin compared to his 2019 win, is credited to the strategic intervention of his uncle, Raj Thackeray. Raj’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) fielded a candidate, splitting the opposition vote and preventing a strong challenge from Congress heavyweight Milind Deora. Deora, despite his considerable influence, fell short, securing 54,523 votes to Aaditya’s 63,324.
In contrast, Amit’s loss in Mahim is seen as a consequence of his uncle, Uddhav Thackeray’s, decision to field a candidate from the same constituency. This three-way contest, involving Uddhav’s Shiv Sena (UBT), Eknath Shinde’s Sena, and Amit, resulted in a narrow victory for Mahesh Sawant of the UBT over Sada Sarvankar of the Shinde Sena. Amit trailed significantly behind, receiving only 33,062 votes. Analysts suggest that had Uddhav refrained from fielding a candidate, Amit might have stood a better chance of winning.
The elections underscore the complex power dynamics within the Thackeray family and the significant impact of strategic alliances and rivalries on electoral outcomes in Maharashtra. The once-dominant Sena’s fractured state is clearly reflected in the diverging paths of the Thackeray cousins.
First Piper 