Mumbai : Sharad Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), a part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, has released its initial list of 45 candidates for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections scheduled for November 20, 2024. This move marks a significant step as NCP fields prominent leaders and family members in constituencies that are expected to see fierce competition, particularly against Ajit Pawar’s rival faction of the NCP, which joined hands with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Maharashtra.
Key Candidates and High-Stakes Battles
Prominent among those listed are Jayant Patil, an NCP stalwart and potential chief ministerial candidate from Islampur, and Anil Deshmukh, former Home Minister, who will contest from his stronghold in Nagpur. In a much-talked-about face-off, Sharad Pawar’s faction has fielded Yugendra Pawar in Baramati, positioning him against Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister and Sharad Pawar’s nephew, from the opposing NCP faction. This “Pawar vs. Pawar” contest has gained substantial media attention and has come to symbolize the split within the NCP.
Additionally, Sharad Pawar’s NCP aims to secure other key seats by nominating loyalists and influential local leaders across Maharashtra. Rohit Pawar, another member of the Pawar family, will contest from Karjat-Jamkhed, a seat he previously represented. Harshvardhan Patil, a significant player in the MVA alliance, has been fielded from Indapur.
NCP SP releases a list of 45 candidates for the upcoming #MaharashtraElection2024.
Jayant Patil to contest from Islampur. Jitendra Awahad to contest from Mumbra. Anil Deshmukh to contest from Katol. Rohit Pawar to contest from Karjat Jamkhed, and Rohini Khadse to contest from… pic.twitter.com/M47ZHgO5fo
— ANI (@ANI) October 24, 2024
Leaders React to the Announcement
Sharad Pawar commented on the list, highlighting the NCP’s commitment to “offering credible leaders and a vision aligned with the people’s needs.” Jayant Patil expressed optimism, stating, “The MVA alliance is strong, and our candidates will bring positive change across Maharashtra.” With his support for Patil as a potential CM candidate, Sharad Pawar’s choices signal his strategic emphasis on experience and loyalty within the party ranks.
The MVA, comprising Sharad Pawar’s NCP, the Shiv Sena (UBT), and the Congress, aims to counter the BJP-led coalition in the state. Leaders of the MVA, including Uddhav Thackeray and Balasaheb Thorat, have shown solidarity in candidate selection, emphasizing a collaborative strategy to regain control in Maharashtra.
This announcement sets the stage for high-stakes battles and indicates the MVA’s resolve to challenge the BJP-NCP coalition. As election campaigns heat up, the state is set for an intense contest between alliances.
