With less than two weeks remaining until Maharashtra’s Assembly elections, prominent leaders are ramping up efforts to win over voters across key constituencies. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath are among the BJP heavyweights set to launch high-profile rallies in the state, intensifying the campaign battle with Congress, led by Rahul Gandhi.
Amit Shah will kick off his campaign on Thursday with rallies across four districts, starting in Kolhapur South. This constituency holds particular significance as the BJP aims to wrest control from Congress leader Satej Patil, whose nephew Ruturaj Patil is contesting the seat. Shah will also hold rallies in Sangli, Satara, and Pune, hoping to consolidate the BJP’s influence in western Maharashtra, a region crucial for the party’s electoral strategy.
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath will arrive on November 6 to address rallies in Washim, Murtijapur, and Mozari-Tivsa in Amravati district. Known for his appeal among conservative voters, Yogi’s presence is expected to energize BJP supporters in the Vidarbha region, a politically important area with a history of strong BJP support.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is set to kick off his campaign from Nagpur, the epicenter of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and traditionally a BJP stronghold. Gandhi’s rally is anticipated to boost the morale of Congress supporters in Maharashtra, as the party seeks to counter the BJP’s influence in key areas.
With the campaign period closing on November 18, all parties are in a race to cover as much ground as possible. The stakes are high for the BJP and its allies, as well as the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance of the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), as both sides vie for control over Maharashtra’s 288 Assembly seats.
The outcome of the Maharashtra Assembly elections, scheduled for November 20 with results to be declared on November 23, could have significant political implications at both the state and national levels.