Maharashtra Assembly Election 2024: Key Constituencies and Candidates to Watch Out For

The political landscape in Maharashtra is heating up as the state prepares for the 2024 Assembly elections, set for November 19. With 288 seats in contention, this election is shaping up to be a fierce battle for dominance between the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition. The stakes are high, with both coalitions vying for power, while national leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress' Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, have crisscrossed the state to rally support for their respective parties.

Maharashtra, India’s wealthiest state, has 288 seats, including 234 in the general category, 29 reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC), and 25 for Scheduled Tribes (ST). After 2,938 withdrawals, 4,140 candidates remain in the fray, as reported by the state's chief electoral office. Here are the top five high-stakes constituencies to watch out for in this crucial election:

1. Worli: A Battle Among the Giants

The Worli seat in Mumbai is poised to witness a dramatic three-way contest between Milind Deora of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, Aaditya Thackeray of Shiv Sena (UBT), and Sandeep Deshpande of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).

Milind Deora, a former MP from South Mumbai, is relying on his strong urban appeal, especially among the middle-class voters, to secure the seat. His political experience includes holding significant positions in the UPA government, such as the Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology.

Aaditya Thackeray, making his electoral debut in 2019, triumphed with a massive majority, securing 89,248 votes. He was widely recognized for his proactive leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, which helped him connect with the voters. Thackeray's hands-on approach during the health crisis, especially in organizing the admission of COVID-positive patients into hospitals, earned him a loyal following.

Meanwhile, Sandeep Deshpande, despite MNS having a smaller voter base, is known for addressing local concerns, particularly around infrastructure and housing. His direct approach and grassroots involvement have made him a popular figure among Marathi-speaking voters in the region.

2. Baramati: A Clash Within the Pawar Family

The Baramati constituency is set for an intense family showdown between Ajit Pawar, the incumbent deputy chief minister, and his grandnephew, Yugendra Pawar, who is contesting the seat with the backing of the NCP (SP).

Ajit Pawar has been a dominant force in Baramati for over three decades, having won the seat seven times in a row since 1991. In the 2019 election, he secured nearly 1.95 lakh votes, with a staggering 83.24% vote share. His political acumen and extensive network within the region have made him a formidable competitor.

On the other hand, Yugendra Pawar, under the mentorship of his influential uncle, Sharad Pawar, is making his political debut. Yugendra has played a key role in managing his aunt Supriya Sule’s Lok Sabha campaigns and has a strong presence in the local education sector as the treasurer of Vidya Pratishthan, an educational institution founded by Sharad Pawar.

3. Vandre East: Youth and Local Politics in the Mix

Vandre East is another constituency attracting significant attention, with Zeeshan Siddique of the Congress facing off against Varun Sardesai of Shiv Sena (UBT).

Zeeshan Siddique, who enjoys strong support from the Muslim community and young voters, has made a name for himself through his engagement with local issues and active presence on social media. His campaign could also gain momentum due to the sympathy votes following the tragic killing of his father, Baba Siddique, a former Maharashtra minister.

In contrast, Varun Sardesai, the nephew of Uddhav Thackeray, has been a staunch supporter of Shiv Sena (UBT) during the party’s split in 2022. Sardesai commands significant influence in Vandre East, owing to his family's longstanding association with Shiv Sena and the party’s traditional voter base.

4. Nagpur South West: A Test for Devendra Fadnavis

Nagpur South West is a crucial seat, with Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis seeking a fourth consecutive term in office. Fadnavis has represented this constituency since 2009 and has built a reputation as a strong political figure with deep roots in the region. In the 2019 election, he won by a margin of over 49,000 votes, showcasing his influence and organizational strength within the BJP.

However, his challenger, Praful Gudadhe from the Congress, is known for his strong local presence and grassroots connections. Gudadhe could capitalize on voter dissatisfaction with the BJP's economic policies, urban infrastructure, and public services, offering an alternative to Fadnavis' dominance in the area.

5. Kopri-Pachpakhadi: Eknath Shinde Faces His Mentor’s Legacy

The Kopri-Pachpakhadi seat in Thane is set for a dramatic contest between Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Kedar Dighe, the nephew of the late Shiv Sena strongman Anand Dighe, who was Shinde’s political mentor. Shinde, who has frequently credited Anand Dighe for his political career, has also financed a Marathi film, Dharmaveer 2, based on Dighe’s life.

Shinde’s connection to Anand Dighe is an emotional and political one, which he has leveraged to consolidate his support among Shiv Sena’s traditional voter base. Meanwhile, Kedar Dighe, backed by his uncle’s legacy, is attempting to carve out a niche for himself in the political arena, posing a serious challenge to Shinde’s hold over the constituency.

Conclusion

As Maharashtra heads to the polls, these key constituencies are set to witness fierce battles that could determine the future political direction of the state. With national leaders campaigning vigorously and a range of prominent candidates vying for attention, the outcome of these high-stakes contests will have significant implications not only for the political landscape of Maharashtra but also for India’s broader political trajectory.