Maharashtra Gears Up for High-Stakes Assembly Polls

The nomination filing for Maharashtra's assembly elections concludes, with voting scheduled for November 20 and counting on November 23. A total of 4,426 nominations have been filed. Political alliances are in full swing as Congress and BJP finalize candidates, setting the stage for intense electoral battles across 288 constituencies.

In Maharashtra, the deadline for filing nominations for the single-phase assembly polls concluded on Tuesday. Scrutiny is set for tomorrow, with the last date for candidate withdrawal on November 4.

All 288 assembly seats will witness voting on November 20, with results being declared on November 23. Until October 28, a total of 4,426 nominations from 3,259 aspirants were filed, according to the Chief Election Officer's office. The Model Code of Conduct has been active since October 15.

Elections were officially announced on October 22, 2024. Concurrently, the Congress unveiled a combined candidate list for Maharashtra and Jharkhand. The Congress has named four candidates in Maharashtra as part of their alliance with the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which includes Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP, naming 268 candidates so far. Shiv Sena and NCP have fielded 84 and 82 candidates, respectively.

The upcoming elections are critical, given the 2019 assembly election outcomes where BJP secured 105 seats, Shiv Sena 56, and Congress 44. Comparatively, in 2014, BJP won 122 seats, Shiv Sena 63, and Congress 42.

Noteworthy events also include BJP spokesperson Shaina NC's switch to NDA partner Shiv Sena, contesting from the Mumbadevi constituency under the Shiv Sena banner. This political maneuver comes just weeks before the elections, as Shiv Sena prepares for high-profile contests including one in the Worli constituency between Deora and UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)