Shiv Sena's Aaditya Thackeray will contest 2019 Maharashtra elections

In a major political twist on Saturday, Yuva Sena president Aaditya Thackeray is confirmed to contest in upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections in October 2019, as per sources. Sources report that Shiv Sena supremo's son will be contesting from Mumbai's Worli constituency. anuncement was made by Shiv Sena leader Anil Parab to party cadres, late on Friday. This would be Thackeray's first Assembly elections.

Sena demands Aaditya for CM

Aaditya Thackrey has been touted as a Chief Ministerial candidate by many Sena leaders. Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant iterated party's stance and said that Aaditya Thackeray is rising sun and that Maharashtra needs him. Previously, Mahar Joshi too demanded to make Aaditya Thackeray as CM candidate citing that he possessed all qualities to lead state. Sena's Rajya Sabha MO and Saamna editor Sanjay Raut too had said that Maharashtra needs a young CM like Aaditya Thackeray and we believe that people of Maharashtra will accept Aaditya as ir CM. 

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Fadnavis-Uddhav discuss CM post

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had said that issue of who will be next Maharashtra CM has been discussed and decided with Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray. He made this statement while attending Shiv Sena foundation day celebrations in Mumbai. "Don't focus on issue that who will become CM. Uddhav and I have decided a few things. We will tell you at right time," he said to reporters at event. Fadnavis was present as Chief Guest at event where he was personally invited by Uddhav Thackrey, as per sources. Shiv Sena claims that as per seat-sharing deal, Chief Minister's post will be shared among candidates of both parties for 2.5 years each. 

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Sena ropes in Prashant Kishor

Earlier in June, Uddhav Thackrey had hired Janata Dal (United) leader and poll strategist Prashant Kishor to design Shiv Sena's poll campaign. As per inputs, Prashant Kishor has already begun campaign strategy for Shiv Sena for assembly elections. While Uddhav Thackeray joined hands with BJP-led NDA during recently-concluded Lok Sabha polls, Prashant Kishor aims to reestablish Shiv Sena as leading NDA ally.   party looking forward to win more seats than BJP during state assembly elections. 

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Maharashtra Assembly polls

Maharashtra which has 288 Assembly seats will go to polls in October 2019. Currently, BJP holds 122 seats, while Shiv Sena holds 63 seats. Opposition held by UPA has 42 seats. Earlier in May, BJP-Shiv Sena allaince won 41 seats while UPA was reduced to merely 5 seats. 

WATCH: w, Arvind Sawant comes in support of Aaditya Thackeray as CM, says 'Maharashtra is waiting for him'