Maharashtra Political Fray: Opposition Unites as BJP Reveals Candidates

In Maharashtra's political arena, opposition alliances remain unified as the BJP releases a list of candidates for the November elections. Opposition leaders assert growing public support as seat-sharing dialogues conclude. BJP's key contenders include Fadnavis and Bawankule, setting the stage for a crucial electoral battle.

Anil Deshmukh, leader of the NCP-SCP, declared on Sunday evening that there is no discord within the opposition alliance, Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). He confirmed substantial progress on seat allocation. Deshmukh stated that the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Nationalist Congress Party conducted a meeting earlier that day.

"Disagreements are non-existent. Today, a meeting between Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party occurred. Decisions concerning numerous seats have been finalized. Tomorrow, another meeting involving Shiv Sena, Congress, and NCP will conclude the discussions," Deshmukh conveyed to ANI. He further elaborated, "After discussions, a candidate list for some seats might be announced tomorrow."

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi conveyed optimism about public support for the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), while attributing fractures within the ruling Mahayuti alliance to internal conflicts. Chaturvedi told ANI, "Mahayuti leaders are at odds. This alliance formed for power grab reasons, but voters will reject them, favoring MVA instead. Candidate names will be released before the Mahayuti Alliance."

The Maharashtra assembly election seat-sharing negotiations are nearing completion, according to Chaturvedi, coinciding with the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Sunday release of 99 candidate names for the upcoming November 20 elections.

The list features Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis contesting from Nagpur South West and state BJP president Chandrashekhar Krishnarao Bawankule vying for the Kamthi seat. Additional prominent candidates are Minister Girish Mahajan from Jamner, Sudhir Mungantiwar in Ballarpur, and others including Sreejaya Ashok Chavan, Ashish Shelar, and Mangal Prabhat Lodha, among more contestants.

Also on the list are Suresh Damu Bhole from Jalgaon City, Atul Save from Aurangabad East, Sanjay Mukund Kalkar from Thane, and Vinod Shelar from Malad West. The Maharashtra elections are slated for November 20, with results expected on November 23.

In the prior 2019 assembly elections, BJP captured 105 seats, contrasting with Shiv Sena's 56 and Congress' 44 seats. Earlier, in 2014, BJP secured 122 seats, while Shiv Sena and Congress attained 63 and 42 seats respectively. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)