Uddhav to decide whether Aaditya will contest polls

Mumbai: In yet another indication that Aaditya Thackeray is prepping to contest the forthcoming Vidhan Sabha elections, the Yuva Sena chief Tuesday said that the decision on whether or not he will contest the Assembly polls will be taken by his father and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray.

Aaditya Thackeray held a meeting of Yuva Sena officials in the Worli and Mahim Assembly segments, during which, the demographics and statistics of both constituencies were discussed. According to Aaditya Thackeray, it is his father and other senior leaders who will decide whether or not he will contest the elections.

Yuva Sena officials and workers have been given a specific target for registration of new voters in Worli and Mahim. Aaditya Thackeray has also directed them to study which parts of Worli and Mahim the Sena got less votes during the Lok Sabha polls, said a Yuva Sena insider.

Senior leaders such as industries minister Subhash Desai, Mahim MLA Sada  Sarwankar, and Worli MLA Sunil Shinde were also present at the meeting.

According to sources, Worli, Mahim and Shivdi are the three Assembly constituencies being considered by the Sena for fielding Aaditya Thackeray in the Vidhan Sabha polls as they have been strongholds of the party for the past several years.

Meanwhile, Mr Shinde said that he is ready to vacate the seat if Aaditya Thackeray wants to contest the election. A few days’ ago, Aaditya Thackeray’s cousin and Yuva Sena leader Varun Sardesai, in an Instagram post, urged him to fight the polls.

“This is the time, this is the opportunity. Mission Legislative Assembly 2019. Maharashtra is waiting —Aaditya Thackeray,” Mr Sardesai posted.