Stakes high for ruling BJP as Maharashtra votes today
SEVERE DROUGHT AND DEMAND FOR QUOTAS AMONG THORNY ISSUES
After a hard-fought campaign, lasting over 30 days, the stage is finally set for Maharashtra’s Assembly elections today amid tight security
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-Shiv Sena alliance is making a determined bid to capture power for a second consecutive term, and the opposition Congress-Nationalist Congress Party combine is leaving no stone unturned to return to power after five years in the political wilderness.
With a staggering 3,237 candidates in the fray from among a host of different parties, the contests for the 288 seats promises to be an all-out political war. Here’s a look at what’s in store for the elections.
Why are Maharashtra polls important this time?
All the major political parties are facing unique challenges. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has the arduous task of repeating its performance of 2014, when it won a record 122 seats. For Shiv Sena, party chief Uddhav Thackeray’s son Aaditya Thackeray is in the fray. This is the first time that someone from Thackeray family is contesting an election.
The Congress, on the other hand, is facing leadership crisis in the state with many of its sitting Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) having already switched sides. The grand old party is marred with deep intra-party divisions in Maharashtra. Key party leader Rahul Gandhi has already stepped down taking responsibility for the debacle in 2019 general election.
Likewise, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) failed to convert its vote share into seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament) elections. Also party president Sharad Pawar is facing heat from Enforcement Directorate over charges of corruption. He is distressed by the fact that several of his party leaders have switched sides and joined BJP.
How many candidates are contesting?
As many as 3,239 candidates are in the fray for the state assembly election, for a total of 288 seats.
■
■
■
Neither the ‘Iron Man of India’, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, nor the ‘Tiger of Mysore’ Tipu Sultan are forgotten heroes as far as the Maharashtra Assembly elections are concerned.
The two historic leaders have political parties named after them, which are now in the poll fray with candidates in different parts of the state for the October 21 elections. Despite the obvious big names associated with them, it is not clear what sort of a challenge they pose to the other resourceful mainstream mega-parties.
The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Party (SVPP) has fielded candidates in Yavatmal, Deoli, Aurangabad East and in Mumbai’s Borivali, Charkop, Mumbadevi, Anushakti Nagar and Vikhroli constituencies, on its officially allotted poll symbol of ‘Mike’.
“We are a small but highly committed party propagating the ideals of the great Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. We have a strong desire to make a change in politics and hope for public support in a big way,” Rohit Sheth, a party member in Mumbai, told journalists.
Another is the ‘Tipu Sultan Party’, which is contesting on its allotted symbol, the ‘Kettle’, on 10 seats — Pusad, Khamgaon, Osmanabad, Aurangabad East, Aurangabad Central, Majalgaon, Beed, Kaij, Parli and Tuljapur. At least one party — ‘Digital Organisation of Nation Party’ — is firmly dedicated to modernisation and its sole candidate Anil Rathod is contesting in Pusad.
Which seat has highest number of candidates?
Chiplun constituency has the least number of candidates, three, whereas Nanded South has the highest at 38.
How have the main players positioned themselves?
Before the polls, the ruling BJP and Shiv Sena formed the National Democratic Alliance
■
■ (NDA). Another pre-election alliance, the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) was formed by the Congress and NCP. The grand old party filed nominations on 145 seats and NCP on 123.
Several political parties have not joined hands with either of the two alliances. This includes All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) which will be contesting from 44 seats, mostly in Muslim predominant constituencies. ‘Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi’ has fielded candidates for all 288 seats while
“Maharashtra Navnirman Sena” will be contesting 103 seats.
Who are the prominent candidates in the poll?
Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis, contesting from his home turf Nagpur South-West, is the face of the BJP and is also leading the party’s campaign. State BJP chief Chandrakant Patil is contesting in Kothrud.
From Shiv Sena, Aaditya Thackeray is making his political debut in electoral politics, contesting from Worli seat.
From Opposition Congress, veteran party leaders Ashok Chavan and Prithviraj Chavan are contesting from Bhokar and Karad South constituencies, respectively. Senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar is seeking another term in his home turf Baramati.
What are the main issues in this election?
Severe drought, agrarian distress and demand for reservation from various quarters are some of the main issues that dominate the poll scenario in Maharashtra.
Another challenge before all political parties is the increasing rate of unemployment in the state.
The issue of suicide by farmers has also become very serious. Besides, relief and rehabilitation of those affected by abnormally high rainfall this time is another challenge.