Mumbai Mayor Election LIVE: Sanjay Raut’s Big 1 Bombshell — Claims Ajit Pawar Will Return to MVA, Says ‘His Heart Is With Family

Mumbai mayor election LIVE: Sanjay Raut drops a bombshell claiming Ajit Pawar will return to the MVA, saying his heart is with family

The Mumbai mayor election has taken a dramatic turn, with Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut making a sensational claim that has set Maharashtra’s political circles abuzz. In the middle of high-stakes negotiations and shifting alliances, Raut asserted that Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar’s “heart is still with his family” and that he will eventually return to the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) fold. His statement, delivered during live updates of the Mumbai mayor election, has added a fresh layer of intrigue to an already tense and politically charged contest.

The Mumbai mayor election is being closely watched not just as a civic contest, but as a litmus test of political strength and unity in Maharashtra. With the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) being one of the richest civic bodies in Asia, control over it carries immense symbolic and practical importance. Political parties see the mayor’s post as a stepping stone to greater influence, especially with state and national elections on the horizon.

The contest has been particularly intense this year because of the fractured political landscape following splits in major parties. Both Shiv Sena and the NCP have seen internal divisions, resulting in new power equations and alliances. The ruling configuration at the state level, led by the BJP and supported by factions of Shiv Sena and the NCP, is facing a determined challenge from the opposition MVA, which comprises Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and Sharad Pawar’s NCP faction.

Against this backdrop, every statement from senior leaders is being scrutinized for clues about possible realignments. Sanjay Raut’s comment about Ajit Pawar returning to the MVA has therefore sparked widespread speculation and debate.

Speaking to reporters during live updates of the Mumbai mayor election, Sanjay Raut did not mince words. He claimed that Ajit Pawar, who had earlier rebelled against his uncle Sharad Pawar and joined hands with the BJP-led alliance, is not emotionally aligned with his current political camp.

“Ajit Pawar’s heart is still with his family,” Raut said, hinting that the NCP leader’s loyalties remain tied to Sharad Pawar and the MVA. “He will return to the MVA. It’s only a matter of time.”

Raut’s remarks were immediately interpreted as an attempt to unsettle the ruling alliance and project confidence within the opposition ranks. By suggesting that one of the most powerful leaders in Maharashtra politics might switch sides again, Raut effectively threw a political grenade into an already volatile situation.

Ajit Pawar’s political journey over the past few years has been nothing short of dramatic. Once considered Sharad Pawar’s political heir, Ajit surprised everyone by splitting from the NCP and joining the BJP-led government. The move not only shook the foundations of the NCP but also altered Maharashtra’s political equations.

His defection was seen as a major blow to the MVA, which had formed the state government after the 2019 assembly elections. The subsequent collapse of the MVA government and the formation of a new alliance led by the BJP marked a significant shift in power.

Since then, Ajit Pawar has tried to consolidate his position within the new alliance, projecting himself as a pragmatic leader willing to take tough decisions. However, doubts about his long-term loyalty have persisted, with opposition leaders frequently suggesting that his break from Sharad Pawar was temporary and driven by political compulsions rather than ideological differences.

Sanjay Raut’s latest statement taps into these doubts, reinforcing the narrative that Ajit Pawar’s move was not a permanent one.

For the Maha Vikas Aghadi, Raut’s claim serves multiple purposes. First, it sends a message to party workers and supporters that the opposition camp remains strong and united, despite setbacks. Second, it puts psychological pressure on the ruling alliance by sowing seeds of uncertainty about the stability of its key partners.

In a tightly contested election like that of the Mumbai mayor, even a hint of instability in the rival camp can influence undecided voters and smaller political players. By suggesting that Ajit Pawar may return to the MVA, Raut is also signaling that the opposition still has the capacity to regain lost ground.

Political analysts believe that such statements are part of a broader strategy to keep the narrative fluid and prevent the ruling alliance from projecting an image of inevitability.

Leaders from the BJP and Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction were quick to dismiss Sanjay Raut’s claim as wishful thinking. Several senior figures accused Raut of indulging in political theatrics to distract from the MVA’s own internal challenges.

“A leader like Ajit Pawar does not make decisions based on emotional impulses,” said a BJP spokesperson. “He joined the alliance after careful consideration, and there is no question of him returning to the MVA.”

Ajit Pawar himself has so far refrained from responding directly to Raut’s statement. However, his close aides have reportedly described the claim as “baseless” and “motivated by political desperation.”

The ruling alliance has sought to project an image of stability and unity, emphasizing its development agenda and governance record. By downplaying Raut’s remarks, they aim to prevent any perception of cracks within their camp.

Sanjay Raut’s reference to Ajit Pawar’s “heart being with his family” touches on a deeply ingrained aspect of Maharashtra politics, where family ties often play a crucial role in political decision-making.

The Pawar family has long been a central force in state politics, with Sharad Pawar being one of the most influential leaders in the region. The rift between uncle and nephew was therefore seen as both a political and personal rupture.

Observers note that despite their political differences, Ajit Pawar has maintained a degree of personal respect for Sharad Pawar. This has fueled speculation that reconciliation could eventually take place, especially if political circumstances change.

By invoking the family angle, Raut is appealing to this sentiment and reinforcing the idea that Ajit Pawar’s political choices are not set in stone.

The immediate impact of Raut’s statement on the Mumbai mayor election remains to be seen. However, it has undoubtedly added a new dimension to the contest.

If the claim gains traction, it could embolden the MVA and its allies to adopt a more aggressive stance in negotiations and campaigning. It could also make smaller parties and independent councillors rethink their alignments, especially if they believe that the political balance could shift again.

On the other hand, if the ruling alliance manages to convincingly dismiss the speculation, Raut’s remarks may be seen as a tactical ploy that failed to achieve its intended effect.

Maharashtra politics has a long history of dramatic twists and unexpected realignments. From overnight government formations to sudden defections, the state has witnessed it all.

In such a volatile environment, even seemingly improbable scenarios cannot be ruled out entirely. While Ajit Pawar’s return to the MVA may appear unlikely at this moment, political analysts caution against dismissing the possibility outright.

Much will depend on how the Mumbai mayor election unfolds and how the broader political landscape evolves in the coming months.

As live updates from the Mumbai mayor election continue to pour in, Sanjay Raut’s bombshell claim is likely to remain a talking point. Whether it proves to be a prophetic insight or a calculated political gambit will only become clear with time.

For now, the statement has achieved one of its primary objectives: it has shifted the spotlight from routine election coverage to high-stakes political speculation. In doing so, it has reinforced the sense that Maharashtra’s political story is far from over and that more surprises could be waiting in the wings.

As parties battle for control of Mumbai’s civic administration, the undercurrents of state-level politics are shaping the narrative in ways that go far beyond the mayor’s chair. And at the center of it all is the enduring question of loyalty, ambition, and family ties — a question that Sanjay Raut has brought back into sharp focus with his bold claim about Ajit Pawar.

With emotions running high and alliances under constant scrutiny, the Mumbai mayor election has become more than just a local contest. It is now a microcosm of Maharashtra’s larger political drama, where every word spoken by a senior leader can send ripples across the state’s political spectrum.

Mumbai Mayor Election LIVE: Sanjay Raut’s Big 1 Bombshell — Claims Ajit Pawar Will Return to MVA, Says ‘His Heart Is With Family