Will Shiv Sena candidate Rahul Shewale be an MP again?

After 2019 Lok Sabha elections concluded in Mumbai on April 29, the speculations regarding the results are being generated in the political circle. In city’s South Central parliamentary constituency, the fight was between Shiv Sena candidate Rahul Shewale and senior Congress leader Eknath Gaikwad. 

In public opinion, the relevance of Congress leader Eknath Gaikwad among the public in South-Central constituency was in question. On the other hand, the campaigns and rallies carried out by Shiv Sena candidate Rahul Shewale might have left a positive impact on his relations with the public. This might affect the winning chances of the senior Congress leader. 

It won’t be wrong to say that Gaikwad’s campaign was weak as compared to that of his opponent. Along with this, it is noted that Gaikwad’s relation with the masses has also fallen weak. In recent general polls, sources informed that several Congress leaders and party workers didn’t participate in Gaikwad’s campaign due to the ongoing differences.

However, with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) backing the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) alliance in the state, many MNS workers were seen during Gaikwad’s campaign. This might have helped Gaikwad to divide Shewale’s votes, especially from the Marathi community. 

In South-Central constituency, almost 55.23 per cent voting was registered on the polling day. The highest voting was registered in Wadala assembly section of the parliamentary constituency while the lowest was in Dharavi area. Gaikwad has a stronghold in Dharavi and Wadala region. However, in Mahim and Chembur, Shiv Sena has maintained its influence. 

In South-Central Lok Sabha constituency, the voting was done in six assembly sections: