The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction appears to be in a tussle with the Bharatiya Janata Party over Assembly seats in Navi Mumbai. Shiv Sena leaders have staked a claim on the Belapur and Airoli constituencies, represented by BJP legislators Manda Mhatre and Ganesh Naik respectively.

Vijay Chougule, district head of Shiv Sena’s Navi Mumbai unit, said, “We are willing to contest Belapur and Airoli. I wish to contest the latter seat. I have had a word with my leader. I will decide my course of action after my party takes a decision on seat sharing.”