Mumbai:

BJP spokesperson Shaina NC has joined the Shiv Sena after the Eknath Shinde-led party fielded her from Mumbadevi in the November 20 Assembly election. She will file her nomination today.

“I would like to thank our hon prime minister @narendramodi ji our dynamic chief minister @mieknathshinde ji and dy cm Dev_Fadnavis ji and @AjitPawarSpeaks. Our Mahayuti leadership has given me an opportunity to serve the people of Mumbadevi for the assembly elections,” she said in a post on X.

I would like to thank our hon prime minister @narendramodi ji our dynamic chief minister @mieknathshinde ji and dy cm @Dev_Fadnavis ji and @AjitPawarSpeaks . Our Mahayuti leadership has given me an opportunity to serve the people of Mumbadevi for the assembly elections.… pic.twitter.com/DAMDaG7Iqf

— Shaina Chudasama Munot (@ShainaNC) October 28, 2024

Hours after the Shinde-led Sena announced her as a candidate, she joined the party in the presence of the Maharashtra Chief Minister and other party leaders.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Shaina NC said, “I have been living in South Mumbai all my life and I realise the kind of challenges citizens here have to face, whether it is cluster development, local hygiene, or open spaces. I am committed to the people of Mumbai.”

“I don’t want to just be an MLA, I want to be their voice. I believe that it is the collective consciousness of the administration, the legislature, and the citizens, that needs to be showcased in terms of good public service. I assure the people that I have no PA, I answer all my calls, and I will always be accessible and accountable to my citizens and all my voters,” she added. 

The Mumbadevi constituency is part of the Mumbai Lok Sabha seat. The Congress’s Amin Patel has represented it in the Assembly since 2009.

Earlier, there were reports that BJP may field Shaina NC in Worli. But the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena announced former Congress leader Milind Deora as its Worli candidate. He will now take on Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Uddhav Thackeray’s son Aaditya Thackeray.

Mumbai:

Shaina NC, the spokesperson of the BJP, has made an appearance on the list of Shiv Sena of Eknath Shinde — one of the many surprises thrown up by the tussle over seats on either side in the assembly elections in Maharashtra. The 51-year-old has been fielded from Mumbadevi and will file her nomination at noon tomorrow, which is the last day for filing nomination. 

The Mumbadevi constituency is a part of the Mumbai Lok Sabha seat. It has been represented by the Congress since 2009.

Shaina NC was in fray for the Worli seat, which as gone to Shiv Sena’s Milind Deora. Fielding her from the Mumbadevi seat is seen as Sena’s way of making amends. 

“I am not at all upset. It is the party and the alliance’s decision to select the candidate. I congratulate my friend Milind Deora on his candidature as the Mahayuti candidate for the prestigious Worli assembly constituency,” Saina NC was quoted as saying by news agency ANI after the announcement.

“As an alliance, the decision to select a candidate is always the prerogative of the leadership. Our party believes in nation first, party next and individual last. Our agenda is development for Mumbai and Maharashtra is taken to new heights,” she had added. 

The Worli constituency will see a high-profile contest between Mr Deora and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray.

Polling in Maharashtra is scheduled for November 20, with counting of of votes set for November 23.

In the 2019 assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, the Shiv Sena 56, and the Congress 44. In 2014, the BJP secured 122 seats, the Shiv Sena 63, and the Congress 42 seats.

Mumbai (Maharashtra):

BJP leader Shaina NC hit out at the ruling Congress and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam, saying there is “enough evidence” for the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) to do its “job.”

The ED which started a probe against the Karnataka CM in connection with the alleged MUDA land allotment scam has filed the chargesheet on Tuesday.

“There is ample evidence, whether it is the resignation of the chairman, or the Karnataka CM offering to return the land as received by compensation, and the fact that money was distributed in the Lok Sabha election, is enough evidence for the ED to do its job and file its chargesheet,” she told ANI on Wednesday.

Calling the MUDA scam as a “huge corruption pile,” she said, “The MUDA scam is a huge corruption pile and the chairman has resigned. The Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah has offered to return the land in terms of compensation. This makes it amply clear that there was corruption.”

#WATCH | Mumbai: BJP leader Shaina NC says, “The MUDA scam is a huge corruption pile and the chairman has resigned. The Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah has offered to return the land in terms of compensation. This makes it amply clear that there was corruption…The chargesheet… pic.twitter.com/9HjqOxEtmx

— ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2024

Earlier, MUDA chairman, Mari Gowda tendered his resignation citing health issues.

“I have given my resignation to the Secretary of the Urban Development Department, the CM instructed me to resign, so I have resigned. My health is not good, so I resigned. MUDA investigation is ongoing. Let the investigation take place. The investigation will reveal the truth. There is no pressure on me. I resigned due to ill health. The CM has not put any pressure on me regarding the issue” Mr Gowda said.

Additionally, BJP MP Sambit Patra also hit out at the Karnataka CM, saying, “Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah had offered to return the land he received as compensation. Both these things make it clear that Congress leader Siddaramaiah is embroiled in the MUDA scam head to toe. The ED filed a chargesheet yesterday. The chargesheet says that Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Schedule Tribes Development Corporation’s fund which was meant for the SC/ST was diverted for Lok Sabha polls.”

Also Read: Siddaramaiah Tampered With MUDA Case Evidence, Alleges Fresh Complaint

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)