Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) is gearing up to contest 25 out of 36 Assembly seats in Mumbai, intensifying competition for both the BJP and Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) in the financial capital. This development has the potential to impact vote shares significantly, especially in key constituencies like Mahim, Worli, and Sewree.

Despite not participating in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and previously backing the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), MNS’s aggressive entry into Mumbai's Assembly race introduces a new dynamic. While BJP is contesting 17 seats and Shinde Sena 16, MNS is directly challenging them in 22 of these seats, heightening concerns about a split in the ruling Mahayuti coalition’s vote bank.

Highlighted contests include Mahim, where Amit Thackeray of MNS is set for a tough three-way battle against Sada Sarvankar of Shinde Sena, and Worli, where MNS candidate Sandeep Deshpande faces Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray. Notably, MNS leader Bala Nandgaonkar is the only Mahayuti-backed candidate in Sewree, running unopposed by the coalition.

In a strategic move, MNS has avoided challenging high-profile BJP leaders like Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar (Colaba) and Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar (Bandra West), focusing instead on key seats like Mahim, Worli, and Vikhroli. Political analysts believe any vote shift toward MNS could disrupt both the Mahayuti and MVA alliances.

With the Maharashtra Assembly elections slated for November 20 and results expected on November 23, all eyes are on MNS’s potential to shape the outcome. Will Raj Thackeray's party be the game-changer this election?