As Maharashtra gears up for the 2024 assembly elections, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar are preparing to file their nominations today, signaling a show of strength for the ruling Mahayuti alliance. Shinde, representing Thane’s Kopri-Pachpakhadi constituency, and Pawar, from his home turf of Baramati, each led large, vibrant roadshows in their respective constituencies before officially submitting their nominations.
In Thane, CM Shinde’s roadshow began from Wagle Estate, marching through Datta Mandir at Model Check Naka to the ITI building in Kisan Nagar. With a unified display of support, leaders from the Shiv Sena-BJP coalition, including Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and members of Ramdas Athawale’s RPI, joined Shinde in rallying Mahayuti supporters. BJP’s Thane candidate Sanjay Kelkar is also expected to file his nomination today. Addressing the crowd, Fadnavis expressed confidence, stating, “Thane has always been saffron, and it will remain so. CM Shinde will secure a record-breaking win, and Thane will once again stand with the Mahayuti.”
For CM Shinde, Thane is not just a constituency but a political stronghold, where retaining support is crucial for Mahayuti’s success. His influence in the city has been evident, particularly following a contentious victory in the Lok Sabha 2024 elections, where Shinde Sena’s Naresh Mhaske triumphed over Sena (UBT) leader Rajan Vichare in a fierce electoral battle. Vichare, now vying for the assembly seat against BJP’s Sanjay Kelkar, joins MNS candidate Avinash Jadhav in a closely watched three-way contest.
In Baramati, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, whose family has long held sway, faces an evolving political landscape. The split within the Pawar family, with Ajit breaking away from his uncle Sharad Pawar, adds a new dimension to the Baramati race. NCP’s Sharad Pawar faction has fielded Yugendra Pawar, Ajit’s nephew, creating a direct face-off between the two factions. This contest, coming on the heels of the recent Lok Sabha elections, marks the second significant battle between the Mahayuti alliance and Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) within a year.
In a symbolic gesture before heading out to file nominations, both Shinde and Pawar’s families performed traditional Hindu rituals, underscoring the importance of these constituencies to their political legacies. With the nomination deadline set for October 29, the last round of candidate announcements is expected today or tomorrow, with the election scheduled for November 20 and results anticipated on November 23.
The stakes are high for both alliances as Maharashtra’s 288 constituencies prepare for a contest that promises to be a litmus test for both Mahayuti’s strength and MVA’s resilience in the state’s complex political landscape.