Maharashtra Election 2024: Top Five Constituencies to Watch in the High-Stakes Assembly Polls
Maharashtra, the wealthiest state in India, is set for a crucial electoral showdown on Wednesday, November 19, to elect a 288-member Assembly. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress are locked in a fierce contest to emerge as the largest party, while allies Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), Shiv Sena (UBT), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and NCP (SP) strive to secure their political standing.
Prominent national leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, campaigned extensively across the state to rally support for their parties.
Out of the 288 seats, 234 are general, 29 reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC), and 25 for Scheduled Tribes (ST). According to the state’s Chief Electoral Office, 4,140 candidates are contesting following 2,938 withdrawals from 7,078 valid nominations.
Top Five Key Battles to Watch
- Worli
The high-profile Mumbai constituency is witnessing a triangular contest between Milind Deora (Shiv Sena – Shinde faction), Aaditya Thackeray (Shiv Sena – UBT), and Sandeep Deshpande (Maharashtra Navnirman Sena).- Milind Deora, a former South Mumbai MP, is banking on his appeal among urban middle-class voters and his past ministerial experience during the UPA era.
- Aaditya Thackeray secured a landslide victory in 2019 and gained recognition for his proactive efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Sandeep Deshpande, though representing a smaller party, focuses on local issues like infrastructure and housing, appealing to Marathi-speaking voters.
- Baramati
In this NCP stronghold, Sharad Pawar’s grandnephew Yugendra Pawar (NCP – SP) challenges Deputy CM Ajit Pawar.- Yugendra, mentored by Sharad Pawar, is making his political debut and aims to tap into the Pawar family’s legacy.
- Ajit Pawar, a seven-time winner from Baramati, remains a dominant figure with an 83% vote share in the 2019 election.
- Vandre East
A heated contest unfolds between Zeeshan Siddique (Congress) and Varun Sardesai (Shiv Sena – UBT).- Zeeshan Siddique, backed by young voters and the Muslim community, is known for addressing local issues and leveraging social media.
- Varun Sardesai, Uddhav Thackeray’s nephew, has significant support from Shiv Sena’s traditional voter base and aims to retain the constituency.
- Nagpur South West
Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis (BJP) seeks a fourth consecutive term in this stronghold against Praful Gudadhe (Congress).- Fadnavis, known for his development initiatives and organisational skills, won by over 49,000 votes in 2019.
- Gudadhe aims to capitalise on anti-incumbency sentiments and public dissatisfaction with infrastructure and economic policies.
- Kopri-Pachpakhadi
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena – Shinde faction) faces Kedar Dighe (Shiv Sena – UBT), nephew of late Shiv Sena leader Anand Dighe.- Shinde, a close associate of Anand Dighe, frequently highlights his mentor’s legacy, including financing the biographical Marathi film Dharmaveer 2.
- Dighe, drawing on his family’s political lineage, is positioning himself as a fresh alternative.
The Bigger Picture
Maharashtra’s political dynamics remain complex, with rival factions of Shiv Sena and NCP competing against each other. The BJP and its allies aim to regain momentum after setbacks in the recent Lok Sabha polls, while the Maha Vikas Aghadi seeks to consolidate its gains and mount a strong challenge.
