High-Stakes Battle Beckons: Maharashtra Legislative Council Elections

A contest is likely in the July 12 Maharashtra Legislative Council elections, with 12 candidates, including Milind Narvekar from Shiv Sena (UBT), in the fray. If no candidates withdraw by July 5, voting will proceed. Thackeray is confident in MVA's victory despite a number disadvantage, relying on potential cross-votes from Deputy CM Ajit Pawar-led NCP and Chief Minister Shinde's Shiv Sena.

A high-stakes contest appears inevitable in the upcoming July 12 biennial elections for 11 seats of the Maharashtra Legislative Council. The Shiv Sena (UBT) on Tuesday spiced up the race by fielding Milind Narvekar, a close aide of party chief Uddhav Thackeray, pushing the number of contenders to 12.

If one of these candidates does not withdraw nomination by July 5, elections to the Upper House of the state legislature will proceed as scheduled. All nominations have been filed, with nine candidates from the ruling Mahayuti alliance and three from the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).

Uddhav Thackeray expressed confidence that all three MVA candidates would secure victory, despite lacking a numerical advantage in the assembly. The opposition is banking on cross-votes from Deputy CM Ajit Pawar-led NCP and CM Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)