As the Maharashtra Assembly elections draw closer, the state’s two major alliances—the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and the Mahayuti—have launched a full-scale campaign in preparation for the November 20 vote. Over 4,100 candidates are in the fray across 288 constituencies, with a significant number of them hailing from prominent political families, giving this election a distinctly dynastic flavor.
Devendra Fadnavis: BJP’s Chief Ministerial Hopeful
Deputy Chief Minister and former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, a key figure for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is contesting from the Nagpur South West seat for the fourth time. Fadnavis, widely seen as the BJP’s top candidate for the Chief Minister role, faces Congress challenger Prafulla Gudadhe Patil. Fadnavis’ political lineage is noteworthy; his father, Gangadharrao Fadnavis, served in the Maharashtra Legislative Council.
Aaditya Thackeray: The Thackeray Legacy Continues
Aaditya Thackeray, son of former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, is vying for re-election from the Worli seat. The 33-year-old, who is the first from the Thackeray family to contest an election, faces a formidable opponent in Milind Deora, the Shiv Sena candidate backed by the Eknath Shinde-led faction. Aaditya previously won by a margin of 67,000 votes, representing the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction.
Rohit Patil: Honoring RR Patil’s Legacy
Rohit Patil, son of the late RR Patil—a former Deputy Chief Minister and influential NCP leader—hopes to represent the Tasgaon-Kavathe Mahankal seat. Contesting under the banner of Sharad Pawar-led NCP, Rohit faces his mother Sumantai Patil’s challenger, Sanjaykaka Patil, who represents the opposing faction within the NCP.
Milind Deora: Congress-Turned-Shiv Sena Leader Takes on Aaditya
Milind Deora, son of former union minister Murli Deora, joined Shiv Sena earlier this year. Now contesting from Worli against Aaditya Thackeray, Deora’s shift from Congress to Shiv Sena adds an interesting twist to this high-stakes face-off in Mumbai.
Nitesh and Nilesh Rane: A Family Divided in Political Loyalty
Brothers Nitesh and Nilesh Rane, sons of former Maharashtra Chief Minister Narayan Rane, are contesting from Kankavali and Kudal, respectively, but under different political flags. Nitesh, a BJP candidate, is up for re-election from Kankavali, while Nilesh, representing Shiv Sena, seeks to win Kudal. Both constituencies are primed for intense competition, with challengers from Shiv Sena (UBT) in each constituency.
Zeeshan Siddique: Rising Star from a Tragic Legacy
Zeeshan Siddique, son of the late Baba Siddique, seeks re-election from Mumbai’s Vandre East constituency on an NCP ticket. Zeeshan’s father, who was tragically assassinated, has left a lasting impact in Maharashtra politics, and Zeeshan aims to continue that legacy.
Amit and Dhiraj Deshmukh: The Deshmukh Brothers Go for Consecutive Wins
Amit and Dhiraj Deshmukh, sons of former Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, are contesting from Latur City and Latur Rural, respectively. Both have strong records in their constituencies, with Dhiraj achieving an overwhelming victory margin of over 120,000 votes in 2019.
Sana Malik: Nawab Malik’s Daughter Steps into the Fray
Sana Malik, daughter of NCP leader Nawab Malik, is contesting from Mumbai’s Anushakti Nagar. She faces competition from Fahad Ahmad, who is being fielded by the rival NCP (Sharad Pawar) faction.
An Election of Legacies and High Stakes
The November 20 election marks a significant moment for Maharashtra’s political dynasties, as each candidate brings a powerful lineage into this high-stakes contest. The counting of votes is scheduled for November 23, setting the stage for a riveting political showdown that will define Maharashtra’s future trajectory.