Milind Deora and Aaditya Thackeray clash on social media, call for open debate on Mumbai's development

Mumbai: Ahead of their high profile electoral clash, Shiv Sena leader Milind Deora and UBT Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray exchanged sharp remarks on social media on Wednesday, calling for open debates on Mumbai's development and raising concerns about restrictions on political discussions around key civic issues.
Milind Deora and Aditya Thackeray are electoral rivals in Mumbai's Worli seat, where Tackeray is the incumbent MLA.
Milind Deora, a senior leader in the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, directly challenged Aaditya Thackeray to a public debate. Referring to Aaditya's earlier comments, Deora posted on X (formerly Twitter), "Aaditya, considering you think 'someone who is scared of an open debate with rival candidates is not worthy of being in any public forum,' I invite you to have an open debate about the future of Worli, Mumbai & Maharashtra." Deora proposed discussing issues such as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) alleged "30-year misgovernance," delays in the Mumbai Metro, and the economic impact of the Sachin Vaze scandal on Maharashtra. "Worlikars should decide whether 'speed breaker politics' or 'progress without speed limits' is the best way forward for our city & state," he added.
In a previous tweet, UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray lashed out at the recent cancellation of debate events for South Mumbai candidates, allegedly called off by police at the last minute due to concerns about potential clashes. "Has it come to this that civil debates won't be allowed by agencies? Their duty is to prevent untoward incidents, not prevent debate," he wrote, noting that the current MP, Arvind Sawant, was ready to participate. Thackeray questioned, "Guess who is using agencies to cancel these debates? Someone who is scared of an open debate with rival candidates is not worthy of being in any public forum." He added, "This is South Mumbai's tradition of debates."
The Maharashtra Assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, with vote counting on November 23. The opposition MVA coalition, comprising Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), aims to challenge the ruling Mahayuti alliance, which includes the BJP, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP.