MUMBAI: In a significant political shift, prominent fashion designer and politician Shaina NC, who has been a prominent spokesperson for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), officially resigned from her party and filed her nomination as a candidate for the Shiv Sena led by CM Eknath Shinde from the Mumbadevi constituency in Mumbai. 

Shaina announced her decision to join the Shiv Sena, ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections scheduled for November 20, 2024, and said, "I filed my nomination papers from the Mumbadevi seat. I have resigned from the BJP and joined the Shiv Sena." 

Her candidacy is particularly noteworthy as she will be contesting against Congress party's incumbent Amin Patel, who has held the Mumbadevi seat since 2009. Patel defeated the Shiv Sena (undivided) candidate Pandurang Sakpal by around 23,000 votes in the 2019 elections. 

The Mumbadevi constituency, part of the Mumbai South Lok Sabha seat, is known for its Muslim-dominated pockets and is considered a stronghold for the Congress party.

Initially, Shaina NC had expressed interest in contesting from the Worli seat; however, that opportunity was ultimately awarded to Shiv Sena's Milind Deora, a former Congress leader. The decision to field her from Mumbadevi is seen as a strategic move by the Shiv Sena, aiming to consolidate support and strengthen their position in the upcoming elections.

Expressing her confidence in the Mahayuti alliance, Shaina NC stated, "Today, I filed my nomination as the Mahayuti candidate from the Mumbadevi Assembly constituency. It is clear from the enthusiasm of the people and workers present during this time and their unwavering faith in Mahayuti that the Mahayuti government is going to be formed again in the state with a huge majority". She also emphasized her commitment to the all-round development of the Mumbadevi area.