Mumbai north-central Lok Sabha seat: Suspense continues over repeating Poonam Mahajan as BJP candidate

"Challenges and Mahajans go hand in hand," remarked Poonam Mahajan when questioned about her prospects for winning the Ghatkopar-West assembly seat in 2009 as a BJP candidate. Reporters probed her on the hurdles posed by internal BJP politics and reports of non-cooperation from Shiv Sena workers, the BJP's alliance partner. Despite being her electoral debut, Poonam astounded political observers with her adeptness in adopting her father's oratory style.

In May 2006, following the tragic demise of Pramod Mahajan, it was Poonam who resolved to carry forward her father's political mantle. While her brother Rahul ventured into the realm of reality entertainment, Poonam pursued a political career and joined the BJP in October 2006. Fielded by the BJP from the Ghatkopar-West seat in anticipation of garnering sympathy votes, she ultimately lost to MNS candidate Ram Kadam. However, in 2014, she secured victory from the Mumbai North Central seat, triumphing over incumbent MP Priya Dutt, daughter of the late actor and Congress leader Sunil Dutt. Poonam repeated this success in 2019, though her candidacy for a third term remains uncertain.

The Mumbai North Central seat is one of several yet to have candidates declared by political alliances such as Mahayuti and Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). While the MVA alliance has allocated the seat to the Congress, it belongs to the BJP within Mahayuti. Speculation surrounds the BJP's choice for this seat, with considerations including factors such as anti-incumbency sentiment and shifts in the political landscape since 2022. The Shiv Sena's united support for BJP candidates until 2019 was disrupted by the June 2022 party rebellion, altering political dynamics. Although BJP has announced its candidates on two seats- the Mumbai North and the Mumbai North East. The Lok Sabha constituency comprises six Vidhan Sabha seats, with two held by the BJP, two by the Shiv Sena, one by Shiv Sena (UBT), and one by Congress.

With the BJP opting to replace sitting MPs in two Mumbai seats, questions arise regarding Poonam's fate. Several names have circulated as potential replacements, including speculation around actress Madhuri Dixit, though she denied any interest in politics. There were also rumors of BJP attempting to persuade Priya Dutt to contest or considering Ashish Shelar, the Mumbai BJP chief, as a candidate. The party insiders tell that in case Poonam Mahajan is replaced by somebody else, then she will be either sent to Rajyasabha or get some high profile position in the party.

As per the seat sharing formula, which is not yet finalized, out of total six Lok Sabha seats in Mumbai BJP is contesting on four which includes Mumbai North, Mumbai North-East and Mumbai North-Central. The BJP also wants to contest on the South Mumbai seat, however, Shinde Sena is reluctant to forego it. Shinde’s party is contesting on Mumbai South-Central and Mumbai North-West seat. In the rival MVA camp, the Shiv Sena (UBT) is contesting on four seats which include Mumbai South, Mumbai South Central, Mumbai North-West and Mumbai North-East. The Mumbai North and Mumbai North-West seats have been left for Congress.

With less than a month remaining until Mumbai votes on May 20, it is expected that both alliances will resolve their differences and announce candidates for the remaining seats.