Nawab Malik, NCP candidate from Mankhard, filed his nomination papers for the Maharashtra Assembly elections in Mumbai on 29 October 2024. The leader of the Ajit Pawar-led party filed its papers despite strong opposition from its ally, the BJP. | Photo credit: ANI
The last day of filing nominations for the assembly elections in Maharashtra witnessed dramatic scenes, with both the ruling and opposition alliances confused about their correct seat allocation formula. For both Mahawati and Maha Vikas Aghadi, a full explanation is likely to come only after Deepavali when the deadline for withdrawal of nominations falls on November 4.
While there was a Pawar-versus-Pawar battle in Baramati where Sharad Pawar and his nephew engaged in a war of words, Mumbai also witnessed drama as Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party leader Nawab Malik filed his nomination papers despite strong opposition. Entered Deemed ally, BJP. The BJP later issued a statement saying it will not canvass for a leader who allegedly has links with gangster Dawood Ibrahim.
Several high-profile candidates filed their nomination papers on Tuesday (October 29, 2024), including Milind Deora, Shaina NC, and Amin Patel.
The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer said that 10,905 nomination papers of 7,995 candidates had been received till Tuesday for the elections to 288 constituencies of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. The Model Code of Conduct came into effect on October 15. Scrutiny of applications will take place on Wednesday, while candidates have until November 4 to withdraw their nomination papers. Voting will take place on November 20 and counting of votes will take place on November 23.
Congress, BJP and NCP-SP released the official list of candidates on the last day. The Congress list included 103 candidates, the BJP announced a list of 148 candidates from the party as well as four smaller allies, and the NCP-SP released a list of 87 candidates. Although Ajit Pawar-led NCP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena also released lists, they gave nomination forms to candidates who were not mentioned in their lists, and put their number of candidates outside the official list. took away The Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Sena has not released an official list of candidates, but top party sources said 96 candidates have been fielded.
Fighting buddies
On the last day of nominations, both Mahawati and Maha Vikas Aghadi have fielded candidates against each other, creating the possibility of a friendly fight. But the MVA was quick to say that it would not allow a friendly fight to take place in the state. Maharashtra in-charge of Congress Ramesh Chinnathala said this HinduThere will be no friendly fighting in Maharashtra. We are asking our party workers to withdraw their candidates from the seats where the coalition parties have fielded their candidates. In Mumbai, we [the Congress] Will fight on 11 seats. The environment is peaceful. Congress will contest on 103 seats. [in the State]. Our goal is to rid ourselves of the corrupt government.
But the ruling Mahawati could not get a consensus on a few seats. There will be a friendly competition for four seats. Wherever we could not get a consensus, we have decided that we will not contest those seats,” Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told reporters.
For example, in Mumbai, Mahawati has fielded candidates against each other in the Mankhod Shivaji Nagar and Anushakti Nagar seats. While Mr. Ajit Pawar gave nomination forms to MLA Nawab Malik and his daughter Sana Malik, the Shiv Sena also fielded candidates in the same constituencies where Mahayoti was contesting. When asked if Mahawati supported her candidature, Ms Malik told reporters, “We will seek votes based on our work. We are with Dada. [Ajit Pawar] And the people are with us.”
Although BJP has issued a statement against Mr. Malik. “We will not canvass for a candidate who has links with gangster Dawood Ibrahim,” Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar told reporters.
A family fight
The war of words between Mr Ajit Pawar and his uncle Sharad Pawar turned personal on Tuesday. After Mr. Ajit Pawar became emotional, accusing his uncle of breaking up the family, Mr. Sharad Pawar mimicked him on stage, saying that it was because of a Pawar that he had to climb the steps of the court. “I am the eldest person in the family. There is no reason for me to break the house. In all these years, I have never gone against my family's wishes, and I will never do so again. Whatever happens, but I will never take the wrong path,” senior Mr. Sharad Pawar said at Yogendra Pawar's campaign launch rally in Baramati on Tuesday.
Also Read | After the defeat in the Lok Sabha elections, the father of sacked IAS officer Khedkar entered the Maharashtra Assembly elections.
Reminding Mr. Ajit Pawar of his early morning swearing-in ceremony, he said some people had gone to court claiming ownership of the party he had founded and built. He said that such a thing had never happened in my life.
Editorial | Western Front: On Parties and Their Prospects in Maharashtra Elections
Addressing a rally on Tuesday (October 29, 2024), Mr Ajit Pawar claimed that his former colleague and former Maharashtra Home Minister late RR Patil had signed an order authorizing an open inquiry against him. Devendra Fadnavis showed me a paper signed by RR Patil. I was shocked,” he said. NCP-SP MP Supriya Sole hit back by demanding action against Mr Fadnavis for showing an official file to another political leader.
Published – October 29, 2024 11:49 pm IST