Vaibhav Naik gets BJP ticket to fight Sena, Cong, NCP

Navi Mumbai: The stage is set for a four-pronged fight in Airoli constituency. Shiv Sena got a jolt with the resignation of disgruntled youth leader Vaibhav Naik, who joined BJP. Vaibhav is likely to eat into Sena’s vote bank and that will help sitting MLA Sandeep Naik the most, according to political pundits.
The Sena youth wing received a setback, as Vaibhav Naik filed his nomination from BJP after Sena fielded Vijay Chougule for Airoli constituency.Interestingly, BJP fielded a second candidate, Deep Bhanushali on Saturday. Bhanushali may withdraw to make way for Vaibhav, say political observers.
Now the field is laid for a battle between Congress’ Ramakant Mhatre, Sena’s Chougule, BJP’s Vaibhav Naik and NCP’s Sandeep Naik.
Apart from the four contenders, RPI’s Sidhram Ohwal, Gajanan Khavale of MNS and former AAP functionary K R Gopi are also in the poll fray from Airoli.
Political observers believe that Vaibhav Naik will be the game changer and his cousin Sandeep will capitalize on the Sena’s split of votes.
Meanwhile, in Belapur, Congress fielded Cidco director Namdev Bhagat while Vijay Nahata filed his nomination from Shiv Sena.
BJP leader Maruti Bhoir filed his nomination as an independent candidate, apart from the official candidate Manda Mhatre, on the last day of filing nomination.
MNS is a much-depleted party after top leaders walked out in protest over nomination issues.
Gajanan Kale will contest on MNS ticket in Belapur to take on Ganesh Naik, who will be defending his position as sitting MLA from NCP.