The Bandra East (Vandre East) Assembly seat is witnessing a high-stakes contest between two young leaders from influential political families—Zeeshan Siddique and Varun Sardesai—in the 2024 elections. This race is emblematic of the complex political dynamics in Maharashtra, reflecting both historical alliances and the evolving nature of state politics.
Key Contestants:
- Zeeshan Siddique:
- Representing the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction.
- Son of the late Baba Siddique, an NCP leader who was tragically murdered earlier this year.
- Zeeshan previously contested and won the Bandra East seat in 2019 as an Indian National Congress candidate, defeating the Shiv Sena candidate by 5,790 votes.
- Varun Sardesai:
- Contesting on behalf of the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction of the MVA coalition.
- Nephew-in-law of Uddhav Thackeray, former Maharashtra Chief Minister.
- Sardesai’s entry into the race reflects the Shiv Sena (UBT)’s emphasis on consolidating its voter base amid stiff competition from Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction.
Bandra East: A Key Political Battleground
- The constituency has a diverse electorate with a mix of Marathi-speaking, Dalit, Muslim, slum, and migrant communities, making it an essential part of Maharashtra’s political landscape.
- Historically, Bandra East has been closely contested.
- In 2019, Zeeshan Siddique won as a Congress candidate.
- In 2014, Shiv Sena’s Prakash Sawant emerged victorious, defeating the BJP candidate by a significant margin.
- The seat’s significance is further heightened by its position in the state’s financial capital, Mumbai, and the broader implications for alliance dynamics in Maharashtra.
Changing Political Landscape in Maharashtra
The election takes place against the backdrop of intense realignments:
- The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition of Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), and Congress is seeking to challenge the BJP-led Maha Yuti Alliance (which includes Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction and Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena).
- The 2022 split within the Shiv Sena and the 2023 NCP division have created a fragmented yet competitive political landscape.
Historical Voting Patterns:
- 2019 Election:
- Total voters: 251,371.
- Winner: Zeeshan Siddique (Congress) with 38,337 votes.
- Margin: 5,790 votes over Shiv Sena’s Vishwanath Mahadeshwar.
- 2014 Election:
- Total voters: 263,798.
- Winner: Shiv Sena’s Prakash Sawant with 41,388 votes.
- Margin: 15,597 votes over BJP’s Krishna Parkar.
Election Day and Results:
- Voting was held on November 20, 2024, with results to be declared on November 23, 2024.
Implications:
This election will test:
- The ability of Ajit Pawar’s NCP to establish its footing independently after splitting from the Sharad Pawar-led faction.
- The Shiv Sena (UBT)’s capacity to rally support against its rival factions amid its alliance with Congress and NCP.
- The electorate’s response to young leadership in a constituency shaped by legacy politics and diverse socio-economic challenges.
The outcome will not only impact Bandra East but also offer a glimpse into the broader electoral mood in Maharashtra ahead of the 2024 general elections.
