The ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is focused on retaining power, while the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition is aiming for a strong comeback. Maharashtra, the country’s richest state, is gearing up for a political showdown on Wednesday, November 19, to elect a new 288-member House. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress are competing for the title of the largest party, while their respective allies — Shiv Sena, Shiv Sena (UBT), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and NCP (SP) — are focused on securing their political footing.
The election campaign witnessed national leaders, inclduing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah and Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, travelling across the state to garner support for their candidates. Of 288 seats, 234 are in the general category, 29 for Scheduled Castes (SC), and 25 for Scheduled Tribes (ST). Following 2,938 withdrawals from 7,078 valid nominations, 4,140 candidates are now contesting, as reported by the state chief electoral office.
The top five battles to watch out for:
1. Worli: The high-profile Worli assembly seat in Mumbai is set for a three-way contest between Milind Deora of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, Shiv Sena (UBT) scion Aaditya Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Sandeep Deshpande.
Milind Deora, a former MP from South Mumbai, is banking on his appeal among urban middle-class voters to make a strong impact in Worli. He has held several key positions, including minister of state for communications and information technology and shipping during the UPA-2 government.
Aaditya Thackeray, in his debut election in 2019, secured a landslide victory from Worli with 89,248 votes, far outpacing his closest rival, NCP’s Suresh Mane, who garnered just 21,821 votes. Thackeray also gained recognition for his hands-on approach during the Covid-19 pandemic, personally overseeing the admission of Covid-positive patients to state-run hospitals. Although MNS has a smaller voter base, Sandeep Deshpande is known for his focus on local issues, especially infrastructure and housing. His direct approach and work on civic matters have earned him popularity, particularly among Marathi-speaking voters in Worli.
2. Baramati: In Baramati, the 2024 election sees a Pawar family clash once again, much like the recent Lok Sabha elections. This time, Sharad Pawar’s grandnephew, Yugendra Pawar is challenging deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, with the NCP (SP) backing his candidacy in this traditional stronghold.
