Maharashtra’s political landscape in the 2024 assembly elections is witnessing a surge in independent candidates, raising concerns over their potential impact on the outcome. A record 2,087 of the total 4,136 candidates across 288 constituencies are contesting independently. This surge, compared to 1,400 independent candidates in the 2019 elections, reflects growing dissatisfaction with party politics and individual aspirations for power.
Maharashtra has seen a long history of independent candidates since its first assembly elections in 1962, when 15 independents won. Over the years, independents have played a key role in government formations, often acting as kingmakers. In the 1990 elections, for instance, 12 out of 13 elected independents supported Sharad Pawar to form the government. The 1995 elections saw a record 3,196 independent candidates, with 45 winning and joining forces with the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance. More recently, in 2019, 13 independents won, including notable figures like Prakash Awade and Ravi Rana.
This year’s increase in independent candidates has sparked concerns about vote splitting, with many political analysts fearing that these candidates could hurt both the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Some independents are expected to attract significant support in key constituencies, potentially diverting votes from major party candidates and altering the electoral dynamics.
Political analyst Abhay Deshpande observed, “In 1999, independents were pivotal in forming the government. Independents in Maharashtra’s 2024 elections could impact outcomes, especially with over 5,000 votes, challenging both major alliances. The question remains: will they act as game-changers or remain largely symbolic? The results will reveal their true impact.
