The BJP withdraws from the Andheri East by-election in Mumbai. The state president announced that the BJP candidate's papers would withdraw. Murji Patel was the BJP's candidate in the by-election.
Andheri East was the most notable fight as it was the first election to be held after the change of administration in the state. The contest between the Thackeray side and the Shinde side of the Shiv Sena, which would have turned into a test of strength, was avoided. The BJP's decision is based on the assessment that public opinion is against the election.
By-elections had to be held in the Andheri East Assembly constituency due to the death of Andheri MLA Ramesh Latke. The election will be held on November 3. Rutuja Ramesh, Ramesh's wife, is the candidate of Uddhav Thackeray's party. MLA Pratap Sarnaik and MNS chief Raj Thackeray from the Shinde side have publicly demanded support for Rujuta.
Earlier, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena leader Raj Thackeray had requested the BJP not to stop the BJP candidate. As a way of paying homage to the soul of Ramesh Latke, Raj Thackeray asked MNS not to contest the election and not to field a candidate against Rutuja. Meanwhile, Congress and the NCP have declared their support for Rutuja Latke. This is the first by-election since the collapse of the Uddhav Thackeray-led government.
