The seat, which is currently held by Congress MLA Amin Patel, is set for an epic contest, with Patel facing a tough challenge from former BJP member Shaina NC, who is now contesting the elections on a Shiv Sena (Mahayuti) ticket. Are fighting.

Candidates: Amin Patel vs Shaina NC

Veteran Congress leader and three-time MLA Amin Patel has represented Mumbadevi for the last three times. Patel, known as the ‘King of Bhendi Bazaar’, is a prominent figure in the political scene of Mumbai, especially in the areas of welfare of the Muslim community. He is seeking re-election in 2024, but faces a strong rival in the form of Shaina NC, who is contesting as the Shiv Sena alliance candidate.

Former BJP leader and fashion designer turned politician Shaina is campaigning in the NC constituency with the promise of bringing non-corrupt and non-controversial leadership. In a classic Bollywood-style quip, Shaina boldly said, “My name is NC”, highlighting her reputation of being ‘non-corrupt’ and ‘non-controversial’.

Political history of Mumbadevi

Mumbadevi (constituency number 186) is one of the 36 constituencies in Mumbai that has a history of intense competition between the Congress and the BJP. This seat has traditionally been dominated by these two major parties, Congress has held this seat for the last three assembly elections. In the 2019 elections, Amin Patel won comfortably and completed his third consecutive term as MLA of Mumbadevi.

This constituency has a significant number of Muslim voters, which has played an important role in the previous elections. This demographic is once again expected to be a key factor in determining the outcome of the 2024 elections. Patel, with his long-term ties with the community, will be hoping to retain its support, while Shaina NC is working to attract a wider voter base with her non-controversial image.

Shaina NC’s entry and Mahayuti factor

This contest has become even more interesting with Shaina switching from BJP to Shiv Sena and then joining the Mahayuti alliance. Despite her political debut in a new party, Shaina is banking on her image as a strong woman leader who has worked to empower the women of Mumbai’s notorious red-light district Kamathipura. His association with Shiv Sena, a party with deep roots in Mumbai politics, is expected to strengthen his position in the region.

However, the match was not without controversy. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Arvind Sawant recently created a political storm when he called Shaina an “imported commodity”, a comment that drew sharp criticism. Sawant later issued an apology, but the incident has added a layer of drama to the election race.

Mumbadevi is home to a large Muslim electorate, which will be a key factor in determining the winner in this high-stakes election. Historically, the Muslim vote has been a strong base for the Congress and Amin Patel has been successful in maintaining its support over the years. However, the entry of Shaina NC into the race may change the dynamics of Muslim votes. His efforts to present himself as a corruption-free leader may appeal to some voters, which could lead to vote division.

Mumbadevi has seen mixed results in previous elections:

1990-2009: This seat was continuously ruled by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Stayed with the priest.

2009–2019: Amin Patel won the seat in the last three assembly elections.