Uddhav Thackeray camp ties up with CPI even as CM Shinde lambasts 'compromise' on Hindutva

In an astonishing turn of events, Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena faction joined hands with CPI which was once its fierce political opponent in Mumbai. murder of CPI MLA Krishna Desai in 1970 not only paved way for Shiv Sena's entry into Legislative Assembly but also resulted in eventual dominance of party in central Mumbai. CPI leers Prakash Reddy, Milind Rane and ors met Thackeray at his ‘Matoshree’ residence on Wednesday and pledged ir support to Thackeray for bypoll to Andheri East Assembly seat. 

This also assumes significance at a juncture when Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde has accused him of compromising on Hindutva, an ideology vociferously opposed by Left. Meanwhile, Mahatma Gandhi's great-grandson Tushar Gandhi also expressed solidarity with ex-Maharashtra CM's Shiv Sena faction. Earlier, MVA allies NCP and Congress announced ir decision to back Thackeray's candidate for by-election. ex-Maharashtra CM's camp will use 'Flaming Torch' election symbol in bypoll.

Crucial bypoll amid Shiv Sena split

Even as Eknath Shinde and Uddhav Thackeray vie for control of Shiv Sena, Election Commission announced bypoll to Andheri East Assembly seat. This seat fell vacant in May after untimely demise of Shiv Sena's Ramesh Latke who has been winning here since 2014. While election will be held on November 3, counting of votes is scheduled for November 6. This will mark first occasion when Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena and Eknath Shinde-BJP combine will contest against each or at Assembly level since collapse of MVA government. 

Reportedly, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction is likely to field Ramesh Latke's wife Rutuja for bypoll. On or hand, BJP hinted that Murji Patel will be joint candidate of ruling alliance. Taking to Twitter, Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar commented, "On occasion of Andheri East Assembly by-election, Election Central Office was inaugurated today at Andheri East. It was seen that BJP and Shinde group alliance candidate Murjibhai Patel h a lot of support from locals". result of this bypoll also might have a bearing on upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation polls.