At 7:00 AM

Voting for the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly elections commenced on Wednesday at 7 am, covering all 288 constituencies in a single phase. With 4,136 candidates, including 2,086 independents, competing for seats, the election has set the stage for an intense political battle.

The BJP is contesting 149 seats, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) 81, and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) 59. Meanwhile, Congress has fielded candidates in 101 constituencies, Shiv Sena (UBT) 95, and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) 86. BSP has also entered the fray, contesting 237 seats. The state has a huge voter base of approximately 9.7 crore.

Prominent Candidates In Electoral Battle

High-profile leaders are contesting pivotal seats. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is running from Kopri-Pachpakhadi, while Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is aiming for a sixth consecutive win from Nagpur South-West. Congress state chief Nana Patole is contesting from Sakoli, and NCP leader Ajit Pawar is defending his Baramati seat against his grandnephew, Yungendra Pawar, representing NCP (Sharad Pawar).

This election is significant as it marks the first major political contest in Assembly polls following the splits in Shiv Sena and NCP. The ruling Mahayuti alliance, led by the BJP, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), currently holds 202 seats in the 288-member assembly. In contrast, the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), comprising Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), controls 69 seats.

Everything At Stake For Major Political Parties

For Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, the election is an opportunity to reclaim political ground after losing power in 2022. Thackeray aims to assert himself as the legitimate heir to Balasaheb Thackeray’s legacy. On the other hand, Chief Minister Shinde has gained traction through welfare initiatives under the Mahayuti government, setting up a fierce rivalry.

The NCP split has added another layer of complexity. Ajit Pawar, now part of the ruling alliance, seeks to bolster his position, while his uncle, Sharad Pawar, is determined to preserve his political stature. Congress, recovering from setbacks in recent polls, is banking on a strong performance to re-establish itself in the state.

Over 70 constituencies are witnessing direct contests between the BJP and Congress, with the results of these seats likely to determine government formation. The 36 seats in Mumbai and its suburbs are particularly critical, with some of the fiercest contests expected there.

Vote Counting On November 23

Votes will be counted on November 23, alongside the results of Jharkhand assembly elections and bypolls in 48 assembly and two Lok Sabha seats.