Mumbai, November 19: Maharashtra gears up for the assembly elections tomorrow, witnessing one of the most fiercely contested political battles in recent years. With 288 assembly seats in the fray, the elections hold significant implications for political dynamics in the state, especially after the split in Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
The ruling Mahayuti alliance, comprising BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), faces a tough challenge from the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), an alliance of Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction). Both sides have made extensive pre-poll promises, with local factors expected to influence the results significantly.
Key Dynamics
Shiv Sena Clash: Uddhav Thackeray, leader of Shiv Sena (UBT), is keen to reclaim political ground lost after the 2022 split that ousted him as Chief Minister. His rival, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has leveraged welfare initiatives under the Mahayuti government to solidify his base.
NCP Division: The NCP faces a similar internal divide. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has aligned with the BJP, while his uncle Sharad Pawar leads the NCP (SP) faction, striving to maintain his political legacy.
Congress Stakes: Reeling from setbacks in the Haryana polls earlier this year, Congress hopes to regain lost ground, especially in direct contests with the BJP in over 70 seats.
Star Candidates and Constituencies
Eknath Shinde: Contesting from Kopri-Pachpakhadi.
Devendra Fadnavis: BJP stalwart vying for his sixth term from Nagpur South-West.
Aaditya Thackeray: Facing Congress’s Milind Deora in Worli.
Ajit Pawar: Battling Sharad Pawar’s grandnephew in Baramati.
Shaina NC: Shiv Sena candidate in Mumbadevi, against Congress’s Amin Patel.
Campaign Highlights
The election witnessed high-voltage campaigns by national leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi. Emotional appeals, caste considerations, and fiery slogans dominated the discourse. Allegations of money distribution against BJP leader Vinod Tawde added drama on the election eve, though Tawde dismissed them as baseless.
Security and Logistics
Mumbai Police has deployed over 25,000 personnel, including riot-control teams, to ensure smooth polling. Preventive measures have resulted in the seizure of ₹175 crore worth of cash, liquor, narcotics, and other items.
The Numbers
Total candidates: 4,136, including 2,086 independents.
Voters: Approximately 9.7 crore.
BJP: Contesting 149 seats, Shiv Sena 81, and NCP (Ajit Pawar) 59.
Congress: Fielding 101 candidates, Shiv Sena (UBT) 95, and NCP (Sharad Pawar) 86.
Polling begins at 7 AM and concludes at 6 PM. Votes will be counted on November 23, alongside those from Jharkhand’s assembly elections and various by-polls
