The Sharad Pawar-led faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has released its initial list of 45 candidates for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections-2024. Among the key names, party state president Jayant Patil will contest from the Islampur assembly constituency. Other notable candidates include Jitendra Awhad, who will run from Mumbra, and former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, who will vie for the Katol assembly seat.
In addition to these prominent figures, Rohit Pawar has been nominated to contest from Karjat Jamkhed, while Rohini Khadse will run from Muktainagar.
Baramati Showdown: Uncle vs. Nephew
In a significant move, Jayant Patil, the NCP state president, announced that Yogendra Pawar will contest from the Baramati assembly constituency. This sets up a high-profile contest, as Ajit Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister and leader of the Ajit faction of the NCP, is also contesting from Baramati as part of the ruling Mahayuti alliance. Yogendra Pawar, Sharad Pawar's grandson, is expected to challenge his uncle, Ajit Pawar, in what could become one of the most closely watched battles of the election.
Yogendra Pawar is the son of Srinivas Pawar, Ajit Pawar's younger brother, making this a family contest that could carry deep political and personal ramifications within the Pawar clan.
Alliances in the Upcoming Elections
The upcoming Maharashtra elections, scheduled for November 20, will see a face-off between the ruling Mahayuti alliance, which comprises Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, the BJP, and Ajit Pawar's NCP faction, and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance. The MVA consists of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), the Congress, and Sharad Pawar's NCP faction.
Shiv Sena (UBT), part of the MVA, has also released a list of 65 candidates. The political landscape is tense as both alliances are making every effort to secure control over the state.
Election Timeline and Stakes
Maharashtra, which has 288 assembly constituencies, will hold its election in a single phase on November 20. The results will be declared on November 23 after counting takes place. Both the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the opposition MVA are vying for supremacy in this high-stakes election.
The Mahayuti alliance, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, is working to retain power, while the MVA is determined to dislodge the incumbent government and regain political control over Maharashtra. With strong candidates and alliances on both sides, the upcoming elections promise to be a pivotal moment in the state’s political history.