MUMBAI – With assembly elections heating up, the Shiv Sena (UBT) has announced a second wave of candidates, adding 15 more names to its roster, now boasting a total of 80 contenders across Maharashtra. And in the bustling Mumbai political theatre, the drama continues with the Sena (UBT) and Congress playing a high-stakes tug-of-war over some prime seats.

A highlight in this release? Anil Gote, a former two-term BJP MLA, freshly minted as a Sena (UBT) member, snags the ticket for Dhule City. It appears switching sides was just the trick, as Gote was announced in Saamna, the Sena’s in-house voice. Other candidates—though less headline-grabbing than Gote—include ex-Mumbai Mayor Shraddha Jadhav vying for Wadala and ex-Corporator Manoj Jamsutkar making a play for the Byculla seat.

Byculla, a favourite for all political suitors, has seen everything but peace, as both the Congress and Sena (UBT) have eyes on the prize. Word was that Akhil Bhartiya Sena’s Geeta Gawli might take up the seat under the Sena (UBT) flag, but the party ultimately chose Jamsutkar, the familiar face who claims Uddhav Thackeray himself handed him the coveted AB form. A quick shuffle in alliances seems to be the trend, and as the election approaches, it appears no one is off-limits to join or rejoin the fray.

Meanwhile, the Sena (UBT) has its sights set on dethroning incumbent Yamini Jadhav of the Eknath Shinde-led Sena. Political insiders hint that the choice of Jamsutkar reflects a calculated attempt to reclaim the seat, with hopes of repeating the ‘victory hat trick.’

In another twist, Ajay Chaudhari clinched the Sewri seat ticket despite strong competition from Sudhir Salvi, Secretary of Lalbaugcha Raja Ganpati Mandal. Thackeray’s final word left Chaudhari as the frontrunner, sealing the ticket after a marathon meeting session that drew input from party insiders and local representatives.

With politics fast approaching peak drama mode, one thing is clear—this election promises plot twists, surprise allegiances, and candidates emerging from unexpected alliances. The stage is set, and as each side eagerly awaits the final curtain call, Mumbai’s voters are braced for an election as theatrical as it is critical.