How Thackeray Family’s ‘Gen-Next’ Fared: Aaditya & Cousin Varun Set For Victory, Raj’s Son Trails 3rd

Aaditya is the son of former Maharashtra CM Uddhav, and grandson of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray. Varun Sardesai is Uddhav’s nephew. Raj Thackeray is Balasaheb’s nephew. 

(L-R) Varun Sardesai, Aaditya Thackeray and Amit Thackeray.

Source : PTI, X.com

There were three members of the extended Thackeray family in the fray in the Maharashtra Election 2024, but not all tasted success. While Aaditya Thackeray and his maternal cousin Varun Sardesai — contesting on Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) tickets — won from Worli and Vandre East, respectively, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) founder Raj Thackeray’s son Amit Thackeray lost from Mahim.

Aaditya is the son of former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray, and grandson of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray, a larger-than-life figure in Maharashtra politics who championed Marathi and Hindu pride. Sardesai is Uddhav’s nephew.

Raj Thackeray is Uddhav Thackeray’s cousin and Balasaheb Thackeray’s nephew. Raj was long seen as the heir to Balasaheb's legacy, but was overlooked as his successor in favour of Uddhav. That's why he founded the MNS.

Vandre East

As of 2.30pm, with 15 of 19 counting rounds completed, Sardesai had a lead of nearly 8,000 votes over his closest rival Zeeshan Siddique of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The constituency is home to Shiv Sena headquarters Matoshree, and is currently held by Siddique, who won with a 30% voteshare in 2019. This election marked a tragedy for Siddique as his father, veteran politician Baba Siddique, was shot dead outside his office last month. 

Worli

Incumbent MLA Aaditya Thackeray looked set to defeat Milind Deora of the Shiv Sena as of 2.30 pm, with a lead of 7,700 votes after 14 of 17 counting rounds. Deora is a former Congress leader who quit the party in January this year. Aaditya, a former minister in the state government, had won the seat with a voteshare of 69% in 2019.

Mahim

At 12.30 pm, with 12 of 18 rounds completed, Amit Thackeray was trailing third behind Mahesh Sawant of Shiv Sena (UBT) and incumbent MLA Sada Sarvankar of the Shiv Sena. Sarvankar wrested a voteshare of over 49% in 2019, and 34% in 2014.