The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has created ripples within the Mahayuti alliance by announcing Suresh Krishna Patil, popularly known as Bullet Patil, as its candidate for the Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar constituency. This decision follows the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) nominating Nawab Malik, igniting tensions between the two parties in the ruling coalition.
Nawab Malik, who filed his nomination on Tuesday, stated, “I am very thankful to (Deputy Chief Minister) Ajit Pawar and other NCP leaders for their confidence in me. I am confident that this time we will win the Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar constituency.” Malik previously served two terms as an MLA from Anushakti Nagar and is banking on the Muslim vote, crucial in Mankhurd, which is currently held by Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi.
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BJP’s Kriti Somaiya reinforced the party’s stance on social media, asserting, “Mahayuti’s official candidate from Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar is Bullet Patil. We will fight to defeat candidates supporting Vote Jihad and Terrorism.” This reflects the BJP’s strategy to capitalize on communal sentiments as the election nears.
The nomination deadline for the assembly elections closed on October 29, with both major alliances, the Mahayuti and Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), making last-minute adjustments. The MVA comprises Congress, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction), and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction). For the upcoming polls, the Congress is contesting 101 seats, Shiv Sena 96, and the NCP 87, while the BJP will contest 152 seats, Shiv Sena 80, and the NCP 51. There are still four seats undecided, and the final day to withdraw nominations is November 4.
The stakes are high, with nearly 8,000 candidates vying for 288 assembly seats, and the elections scheduled for November 20, 2024. The results will be announced on November 23. Given the intense rivalry between the BJP and NCP, especially in Mankhurd, the elections could potentially reshape the political landscape of Maharashtra.
In past elections, the BJP emerged victorious, securing 105 seats in 2019 and 122 in 2014. As the electoral battle unfolds, party dynamics within the Mahayuti alliance will be crucial in determining its success.
(By Sumit Singh, Web Team at C6N)
