Maharashtra is set to go to the polls tomorrow in a high-stakes electoral contest that will have far-reaching implications for the future of political players in the state. With 288 assembly seats up for grabs, the election promises intense competition across all regions, as political leaders from the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition make their final appeals to voters.
This election marks the first since the dramatic split in the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), making it a pivotal moment for several key political figures. The battle is especially significant for Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, who lost his chief ministerial position following the 2022 party split. Thackeray’s faction is eager to regain ground and prove its relevance in the state’s politics, while his rival, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who leads the faction that split away from Shiv Sena, has gained popularity with welfare schemes introduced by the Mahayuti government. The fight for who holds the true legacy of Balasaheb Thackeray is also central to the contest.
The NCP also experienced a split, with Ajit Pawar joining the ruling alliance as Deputy Chief Minister in July 2023. His uncle, Sharad Pawar, now heads the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) and has mounted a vigorous campaign to preserve his party’s influence and legacy.
The ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance consists of the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) includes Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar). Both alliances have made extensive pre-poll promises, with local factors expected to play a significant role in determining the outcome.
Campaigns have been charged with emotional appeals, catchy slogans, and intense focus on caste dynamics. After setbacks in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Mahayuti government has worked to address criticisms, with initiatives such as the Ladki Behen Yojana gaining popularity.
Controversy has marred the final days of campaigning, with opposition parties alleging that BJP leader Vinod Tawde was involved in distributing money to sway voters. Tawde, however, has denied the allegations and called for an impartial investigation by the Election Commission. In a related incident, workers from the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) created a ruckus outside a hotel in Nalasopara, accusing the BJP of similar misconduct.
The Congress party faces a critical challenge in Maharashtra after a disappointing performance in the Haryana assembly elections earlier this year, where BJP formed its third consecutive government. In Maharashtra, the BJP and Congress are locked in a direct contest in over 70 seats, and the outcome of these contests will be crucial in determining the next government.
Among the most intense and closely watched battles are those in Mumbai and its suburbs, where 36 seats are up for grabs. Key candidates include Eknath Shinde, contesting from the Kopri-Pachpakhadi constituency, and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is vying for a sixth consecutive term from Nagpur South-West. In Mumbai, Shaina NC, a former BJP spokesperson, is challenging Congress MLA Amin Patel for the Mumbadevi seat, while Milind Deora faces off against Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray in Worli.
Congress state chief Nana Patole is contesting from Sakoli, and NCP chief Ajit Pawar is recontesting from Baramati, where he faces a tough challenge from NCP (SP) candidate Yungendra Pawar, Sharad Pawar’s grandnephew. Other notable candidates include Zeeshan Siddique, son of the late Baba Siddique, contesting from Bandra East on an NCP ticket against Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Varun Sardesai.
National leaders have been actively campaigning, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi among those addressing rallies.
In response to security concerns, elaborate arrangements have been made for the smooth conduct of the elections. The Mumbai Police has deployed over 25,000 personnel, including riot-control teams, and preventive measures have been implemented with the arrest of thousands of individuals in the lead-up to the election. Additionally, the police have seized over Rs 175 crore worth of illegal items, including cash, liquor, and narcotics.
With a total of 4,136 candidates, including 2,086 independents, in the fray, the election will see intense competition. The BJP is contesting 149 seats, Shiv Sena is in the race for 81, and NCP is fielding candidates in 59 constituencies. Congress has put forward 101 candidates, while Shiv Sena (UBT) is contesting 95, and NCP (SP) is fielding 86. Smaller parties, including the BSP, are also part of the electoral fray.
The polling will take place from 7 am to 6 pm tomorrow, and the results will be declared on November 23, coinciding with the counting of votes in Jharkhand and various bypolls across the country. With such high stakes, the outcome of the Maharashtra assembly elections is poised to shape the state’s political landscape for years to come.
(With inputs from ANI)