Lok Sabha elections 2024: Shiv Sena’s Waikar and BJP’s Nikam make last-minute nominations

Ujjwal Nikam, BJP candidate, on his way to file nomination in Bandra. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

Ravindra Waikar, a Shiv Sena candidate for the North West constituency, arrived with his close associates to file his nomination form on Friday. Later, he was accompanied by BJP MLAs. Ujjwal Nikam, a BJP candidate from the North Central constituency, arrived with a huge roadshow featuring Devendra Fadnavis while filing his form at the Collector's office in Bandra East.

Both BJP and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) announced their candidates almost at the last moment, managing to file their forms on the final day of nominations, Friday, May 3. Before joining the Shiv Sena led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Waikar, an MLA from Jogeshwari, was a close associate of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray. On Friday, he arrived at the Collector's office around 11.30 am with his close associates, initiating formalities to submit the nomination form. However, after 30 minutes, when the BJP started its rally, he left the office and joined the BJP rally along with Ujjwal Nikam.

Ravindra Waikar, Shiv Sena candidate, files nomination in Bandra

He returned to the collector's office at 12.50 pm along with BJP MLA Amit Satam. Another BJP MLA, Parag Alawani, greeted him near the gate and accompanied him. Shortly after, Sheetal Mhatre from Shiv Sena arrived at the venue. Dilip Lande, another Sena MLA from Kurla, accompanied Ujjwal Nikam. Speaking to the media, Waikar stated that nowadays, one-day and T20 cricket matches are more popular than five-day test series, indicating his ability to manage well within a short period as he is known for his work.

Meanwhile, Fadnavis and BJP leader Ashish Shelar joined the roadshow to file the nomination of Ujjwal Nikam. Fadnavis left after the show reached the collector's office. Approximately a thousand workers with flags of BJP and Sena gathered together, with flags of MNS and Rashtriya Samaj Paksha (RSP) also visible at the rally.

Yamini Jadhav, a Shiv Sena candidate, also filed her nomination for the South Mumbai constituency. Rahul Narvekar, a BJP MLA eager to contest the Lok Sabha poll, stated that he will work for Jadhav to secure a seat for the Prime Minister. The voting for all six seats for the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 in Mumbai is scheduled for May 20.