Mumbai: The Maharashtra assembly elections have seen an unprecedented turnout, with 7,995 candidates filing a record 10,905 nomination papers for the 288 seats—a marked rise from 5,543 in 2019. The surge underscores the high stakes as two prominent alliances—the ruling Mahayuti coalition and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), including Congress, Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena, and Sharad Pawar’s NCP—prepare for a closely watched battle on November 20.
The nomination process, which concluded on October 29, will be followed by scrutiny on October 30 and a final date for withdrawal of candidacies on November 4. According to the Chief Electoral Officer’s office, the significant increase in nominations reflects the heightened political engagement and competition in these elections. Key districts like Nashik have become focal points, with 361 candidates filing 506 nominations, showing the competitive landscape at the local level.
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Each major alliance is positioning itself strategically. The BJP, which is contesting 148 seats, leads the Mahayuti bloc and is aiming to retain its influence across the state. CM Eknath Shinde recently remarked, “Our vision is to continue Maharashtra’s growth story under a stable government,” signaling the Mahayuti’s focus on development. Deputy CM Ajit Pawar’s NCP is contesting 53 seats, while other partners hold five seats, leaving two undecided as part of internal negotiations.
In the opposition, the Congress, which will contest 103 seats, forms the core of the MVA alliance, which also includes Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena faction with 89 seats and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP on 87 seats. Nana Patole, Congress leader, asserted that this election is “an opportunity to restore Maharashtra’s democratic heritage,” emphasizing the MVA’s goal of challenging the Mahayuti’s authority and presenting a viable alternative.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra’s vigilant voters have actively used the Election Commission’s C-Vigil app to report violations of the model code of conduct, with over 1,648 complaints filed between October 15 and 29, demonstrating public commitment to a transparent election process.
With a record number of nominations and heightened alliances, Maharashtra’s upcoming elections promise a charged political showdown, potentially reshaping the state’s governance dynamics. The electorate will cast their votes on November 20, and the results will be announced on November 23.
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(Inputs From The Agencies)
