Maharashtra polls: Muslim delegation backs Congress bid for Kalyan West assembly seat over UBT

KALYAN: A delegation of the Muslim community met with senior state Congress leaders, urging that the Kalyan (West) assembly seat be allocated to Congress instead of UBT.

The delegation, led by Congress's Minority District President Salim Shaikh, met with Congress's State President Nana Patole, Vijay Vaddetiwar, and Balasaheb Thorat.

Shaikh stated, "There are about 1,15,000 Muslim voters in this assembly, so if this seat goes to Congress, then Congress can easily win this seat."

Firoz Sayyed, another member of the delegation, said, "After the split in Shiv Sena, this time there is a strong possibility of a division of votes due to two parties, so if this seat goes to Congress, then the victory of Congress is certain."

The Muslim community has also suggested the name of Congress leader Rajbhau Patkar to the senior leaders for this seat due to his social work in society. Patkar expressed his desire to contest from this seat.

Currently, Vishwanath Bhoir is the MLA from Shiv Sena for this seat, and there is a possibility of UBT getting a ticket from Mahavikas Aghadi against him.

A total of five candidates from Congress are also willing to contest from this seat, with Patkar being one of them. The demand raised by the Muslim community for this seat for the Congress party may upset UBT candidates who are interested in contesting from this seat.