Mumbai : The rebels who jumped into the Maharashtra Assembly elections after not getting tickets have become a headache for Mahayuti and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The last date for filing nominations for the November 20 elections to the state’s 288-member Assembly was October 29 and scrutiny of candidates’ nomination papers will take place on October 30. The last date for withdrawal of names from the electoral battle is November 4 and after this a clear picture will emerge on the number of rebels left in the field. While the Mahayuti has identified 80 rebels, about 150 leaders of various parties have left their party or multi-party alliance. Nominations have been filed against the official candidates of. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is November 4, so the fronts have about a week to resolve differences and convince the rebels to step down.
Nomination of 286 MVA candidates
Both MVA and Mahayuti said they have announced candidates for all 288 seats. After the close of nominations, 286 MVA candidates filed nominations (103 from Congress, 96 from Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena and 87 from Sharad Pawar-led NCP). All three parties have fielded smaller allies from their respective quotas. Gave seats.
How many candidates from Mahayuti?
284 candidates have filed nomination in Mahayuti. There are 80 candidates from BJP, Shiv Sena and 52 candidates from Ajit Pawar’s NCP. Which also includes small associates. Both the alliances said that the remaining seats would be calculated after receiving information from different parts of the state. However, from the Mahayuti list it appears that it has declared two candidates in 5 constituencies, and no candidates in two seats. It has announced a total of 289 candidates.
Challenge of dealing with rebels
Key leaders of Mahayuti and MVA acknowledged that the presence of rebels is a matter of concern and they have to deal with the matter. There is still time to do so. The papers of the candidates will be scrutinized on Wednesday and November 4 is the last date for withdrawal of candidature. After this, it will become clear how many rebels are still in the field.
There was controversy in Maha Vikas Aghadi from the beginning
The confusion that had been going on for a fortnight over who would contest on how many seats ended on Tuesday. But despite several rounds of talks, Mahayuti kept its seat sharing formula completely secret, while MVA’s formula kept changing publicly. Initially it was proposed that Congress would contest on 103 seats, UBT Shiv Sena on 90 seats and NCP (SP) on 85 seats. Later, UBT Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut proposed a formula of 85-85 seats and since no consensus could be reached on this, Congress legislature party leader Balasaheb Thorat proposed a new formula in which all MVA constituents would get 90-90 seats. Will contest elections on seats.
If the rebels persist in the election, they will pose a significant challenge to the official candidates. Not only this, they will work to spoil the electoral mathematics of Mahayuti and MVA. The grand alliance includes the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), while the opposition MVA includes the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and Sharad Pawar’s NCP.
Biggest problem in Mumbai
The BJP, which has fielded the largest number of candidates among major parties, is facing an uphill battle to contain possible losses from rebels in Mumbai as well as other parts of the state. Gopal Shetty is a big name among the BJP rebels. He has been an MLA twice and a Lok Sabha member from Mumbai. He has filed nomination as an independent candidate against the party’s official candidate Sanjay Upadhyay from Mumbai’s Borivali assembly seat.
hence the problem increased
According to political observer Abhay Deshpande, NCP’s entry into the ruling alliance has posed challenges for the BJP and Shiv Sena. He said, ‘Assembly elections are generally fought on the image of the candidates. There are at least three major political parties in both the parties (Mahayuti and MVA), and it is clear that each party has got a limited number of seats to contest the elections. BJP and Shiv Sena joining hands with traditional rival NCP has created a big challenge for their dedicated party workers on the ground.
There have also been cases where allies have fielded candidates against each other. For example, Congress nominated Dilip Mane from Solapur South constituency, but he did not get official candidate status. Its ally Shiv Sena (UBT) has given ticket to Amar Patil. Speaking to reporters after filing his nomination as an independent candidate, Mane said, ‘I was told that the AB form would be given to me by the Congress. He never came, so I decided to file my nomination as an independent candidate.
Congress and its ally NCP (SP) have fielded their candidates in Pandharpur-Mangalwedha constituency of Solapur district. Peasants and Workers Party (PWP), a constituent of the MVA, yet its Babasaheb Deshmukh has filed his nomination against the Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate in Sangola constituency of Solapur district.
Ajit Pawar led NCP is also facing rebellion. NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal’s nephew Sameer has filed his nomination as an independent candidate from Nandgaon assembly constituency in Nashik district. He is challenging Shiv Sena candidate and sitting MLA Suhas Kande. NCP’s Nashik city unit president Ranjan Thackeray has also filed his nomination as an independent against sitting BJP MLA Devyani Pharande. Former Union Minister Raosaheb Danve’s brother Bhaskar has also rebelled and filed nomination against Shiv Sena candidate Arjun Khotkar in Jalna area. In Nagpur district, sitting BJP MLA Krishna Khopde is facing challenge from NCP rebel Abha Pandey on Nagpur East assembly seat.
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Political Expert on Maharashtra Assembly Elections
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome, everyone! Today, we’re diving into the complexities of the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections scheduled for November 20. We’re joined by political expert Abhay Deshpande, who has been closely following the developments. Abhay, thank you for being here.
Abhay Deshpande (AD): Thank you for having me! It’s a crucial time in Maharashtra politics.
TNE: Let’s start with the rebels. It looks like they’ve become a significant factor in this election, with over 150 leaders leaving their parties. How are these rebels impacting the political landscape?
AD: Absolutely. The presence of rebels complicates the electoral dynamics quite a bit. Both alliances, Mahayuti and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), are grappling with candidates who feel sidelined after not receiving tickets. They could dilute votes from official candidates, especially in constituencies where they have strong support bases. This could significantly alter the anticipated results.
TNE: You mentioned both alliances. Can you tell us about how they are preparing to deal with the rebel candidates, particularly before the deadline for withdrawal on November 4?
AD: Both alliances are under pressure. Mahayuti has acknowledged the issue, identifying 80 rebels, while MVA is also facing challenges. With the last date for withdrawal approaching, they’re likely having urgent discussions to persuade rebels to step down. If they fail, these rebels could not only run but also draw votes away from the official candidates.
TNE: Speaking of alliances, the seat-sharing negotiations have been rather turbulent. MVA’s proposal process seemed chaotic. Can you explain how this turmoil might affect voter perception?
AD: Certainly. Voter perception can be greatly influenced by the unity and organization shown by alliances. MVA initially proposed a balance but then shifted its stance several times, leading to confusion. Voters might question the stability and credibility of the MVA if they perceive disarray among its leaders. Meanwhile, Mahayuti’s secretive approach may either distance or intrigue potential supporters.
TNE: Interesting. Now, looking at Mumbai specifically—the rebels seem to be causing major concern for the BJP. Gopal Shetty’s independent candidacy is a notable example. How significant is this situation for the BJP’s chance of winning?
AD: Gopal Shetty is indeed a significant figure in Borivali. His independent candidacy could mobilize discontented BJP voters and spoil the party’s chances. Given that Mumbai is a stronghold for the BJP, any split in the vote can lead to serious implications for their overall performance in the state. This situation calls for a well-planned strategy from the BJP to mitigate potential losses.
TNE: It seems we also can’t overlook the role of the NCP joining the ruling alliance. How does this impact the competition between Mahayuti and MVA?
AD: The NCP’s entry into Mahayuti has indeed reshaped the battlefield. Traditional rivalries are now blending, creating a unique electoral equation. While some voters may appreciate this coalition, others might view it with skepticism, questioning the alignments. The assembly elections are heavily candidate-driven, and having a prominent party like NCP alongside BJP and Shiv Sena complicates the political narrative that voters are used to.
TNE: So, with all these dynamics at play, what should we be watching for in the coming days leading up to the elections?
AD: Keep an eye on the resolution of rebel candidates, as their final list will indicate potential vulnerabilities for both alliances. Additionally, monitor how each alliance manages its messaging and addresses voter concerns surrounding the new alliances—this could influence voter turnout. Lastly, look out for any last-minute shifts in public sentiment, especially as the issues of unity and stability come to the forefront.
TNE: Thank you, Abhay, for this insightful discussion! As we edge closer to the elections, it will be crucial to see how these factors unfold. This election may very well redefine Maharashtra’s political landscape.
AD: Thank you for having me! It’s going to be a fascinating election to watch.