Big guns set for campaign rallies ahead of poll
BJP Star campaigners:
PM Narendra Modi, home minister Amit Shah, UP CM Yogi Adityanath, Maharashtra deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, general secretary Vinod Tawde, union minister Narayan Rane and former minister Pankaja Munde. PM Modi will lead over 10 meetings in the state.
Key campaigner: DEVENDRA FADNAVIS
The Dy CM is the face of the BJP in Maharashtra. He is known for not mincing his words, especially in his attacks on Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray. Most likely to say: Give your votes to BJP for development and Modi's leadership. Least likely to say: We have to achieve a hat-trick of winning 40-plus seats in Maharashtra. That is important for the party and also for me.
SHIV SENA Star campaigners:
Chief minister Eknath Shinde; assisting him will be ministers Deepak Kesarkar, Uday Samant and Tanaji Sawant. Actor Govinda is expected to address a few public meetings. The party is also relying on BJP'S star campaigners.
Key campaigner: EKNATH SHINDE
The chief minister is the face of the party and its chief strategist. Since June 2022, after he split Shiv Sena and formed the government with BJP, pulling down the Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA government, Shinde has been travelling the state explaining his rebellion. He will continue to target Thackeray. Most likely to say: Look how we are developing Maharashtra; we need to make Modiji PM again. Least likely to say: If we fail to win a good number of seats, my throne will be in danger.
NCP Star campaigners:
Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and Rajya Sabha MP Praful Patel and Chhagan Bhujbal. NCP also has many regional satraps who are powerful in their areas.
Key campaigner: AJIT PAWAR
Though the party has several leaders known for their oratorial skills, Ajit Pawar will have to shoulder most of campaign’s burden. The most popular orator in his team – Bhujbal – will be busy if the party fields him from Nashik. Most likely to say: We need triple engine government in Maharashtra and the country needs Modiji. Least likely to say: My primary challenge is to neutralise uncle's influence on state.
SHIV SENA (UBT) Star campaigners:
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray. Those in the next rung and in great demand are his son Aaditya, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut and deputy leader Sushama Andhare.
Key campaigner: UDDHAV THACKERAY
Since his party suffered a split in June 2022 and his government was pulled down, Thackeray has been travelling around the state, addressing rallies in a bid to create a strong narrative against the “traitors” and urging people to give their verdict. Thackeray is the only leader of his party with a pan-maharashtra image. Most likely to say: Bury those traitors. Don't vote for dictator Modi. Least likely to say: I just want to teach them a lesson.
NCP (SHARADCHANDRA PAWAR)
Star campaigners: Sharad Pawar has a dearth of leaders after the party split up. His daughter Supriya Sule is contesting and will be busy in Baramati. Apart from Pawar himself and Supriya, state NCP chief Jayant Patil, legislators Rohit Pawar and Jitendra Awhad are people to look out for.
Key campaigner: SHARAD PAWAR
The campaign will be an important one for his survival. The indefatigable 83-year-old politician is campaigning uncaring of the prediction of a severe heat wave. Most likely to say: It is time to end dictatorship in the country. The anti-farmer government has to go. Least likely to say: My priority is to defeat my nephew.
CONGRESS Star campaigners:
Rahul Gandhi is the party’s face, although state leaders are unsure how many rallies he is likely to address in Maharashtra. Other national leaders who will campaign are party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, former party president Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi. Closer home, are state unit chief Nana Patole, Balasaheb Thorat and Prithviraj Chavan.
Key campaigner: NANA PATOLE
Although not a skilled orator, Patole does not mince his words when attacking prime minister Modi and the Bjp-led government at the Centre. Most likely to say: We are confident that people will throw this government out. Rahul Gandhi will be our PM. Least likely to say: We won one seat in 2019. Even if we win one more, our performance will be 100% better.