Maharashtra polls: Uddhav Thackeray's PA visits Geeta Gawli, sets tongues wagging

Chaitanya Marpakwar / TNN / Updated: Oct 4, 2024, 12:41 IST

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Geeta Gawli recently met Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Milind Narvekar, sparking rumors she might run for the assembly election on a Shiv Sena (UBT) ticket from Byculla. Gawli, who was the only ABS corporator elected in 2017, previously supported the BJP in the BMC. The meeting was described as a courtesy visit.

Maharashtra polls: Uddhav Thackeray's PA visits Geeta Gawli, sets tongues wagging

Geeta Gawli’s meeting with Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Milind Narvekar fuels speculation of her running for Byculla assembly seat on a Shiv Sena (UBT) ticket

MUMBAI: A meeting between former Akhil Bhartiya Sena (ABS) corporator Geeta Gawli and Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Milind Narvekar on Thursday fuelled speculation that she might contest the assembly election on a Shiv Sena (UBT) ticket from Byculla.
Narvekar is also the personal assistant of Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray.
Gawli said Narvekar visited her home. She said it was merely a courtesy call and nothing significant should be inferred from it.
"This was just a courtesy visit, and I can't comment any further," Gawli said.

The eldest daughter of Arun Gawli, Geeta was the lone ABS corporator elected in 2017.
She was courted by both the Shiv Sena and the BJP as the two parties competed to take control of the BMC, but she ultimately extended support to the BJP.
In 2012, she and her aunt, Vandana, both won the BMC election and supported the Shiv Sena. They were given the opportunity to head important committees like health between 2012 and 2017.
Yamini Jadhav of the Shiv Sena is the sitting MLA from Byculla. In the MVA, both the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress are keen on contesting the Byculla seat.
Political observers said the Shiv Sena (UBT) was on the lookout for a strong candidate from Byculla to challenge Jadhav.
In the Lok Sabha election, Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Arvind Sawant won from Mumbai South, which includes the Byculla assembly segment.
Analysts said Jadhav managed to secure significant Marathi votes but it was the Muslim vote that helped Sawant achieve a lead of over 45,000 from Byculla, making it a safe seat for the MVA.
Former Shiv Sena (UBT) corporators Ramakant Rahate and Manoj Jamsuthkar are also vying for a ticket from Byculla, and Gawli's entry might disrupt their plans.
Arun Gawli and 11 others were sentenced to life imprisonment by a sessions court in the city on Aug 3, 2012, for the murder of former Shiv Sena corporator Kamlakar Jamsandekar.
A special MCOCA court, while pronouncing the judgment, awarded rigorous imprisonment for life and imposed a Rs 17 lakh fine on him.

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