In the Maharashtra legislative assembly elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is firmly focused on ensuring the success of the BJP-led alliance. This has led to the gathering of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar in Delhi, where Amit Shah is providing crucial guidance.
Political Context of the Elections
Currently, the BJP coalition is in power in Maharashtra, with Eknath Shinde from the Shiv Sena serving as Chief Minister and Devendra Fadnavis as Deputy Chief Minister. The BJP has a greater number of MLAs compared to Shinde, but due to a split from Uddhav Thackeray, the BJP formed an alliance, effectively granting the Chief Minister’s position to Shinde.
The five-year term of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly is nearing its end, and elections have been announced. The elections will take place in a single phase on November 20, with results to be announced on November 23. Maharashtra has a total of 288 assembly constituencies, and a party needs to win at least 145 constituencies to form a government.
The current alliance includes Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), collectively known as the “Mahayuti.” The opposition coalition consists of Congress, Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena, and Sharad Pawar’s NCP.
Seat Sharing and Candidate Selection
While negotiations for seat-sharing among the parties continue, there is still uncertainty regarding a few constituencies. Several party leaders are interested in contesting from the same constituencies, causing delays in finalizing agreements. However, an understanding has been reached for 278 out of the total 288 constituencies.
Among these 278 constituencies, candidates from the BJP, Shinde’s Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP have been announced for 158 seats. There are still 10 constituencies where discussions are ongoing. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has stated that a smooth resolution to these issues is expected in the next couple of days.
Amit Shah’s Involvement
Amit Shah is committed to ensuring that the BJP-led alliance wins the Maharashtra elections. He has been closely monitoring the state’s political landscape and has been actively engaging with key coalition leaders, including Fadnavis, Shinde, and Ajit Pawar, in Delhi.
In the past week alone, these three leaders have met Amit Shah twice. During these meetings, he emphasized the need for unity and coordination among the alliance members. He highlighted that any internal disputes or discrepancies regarding constituency candidates should be resolved quickly, stating that “every vote is crucial” in the upcoming elections.
Current Political Landscape in Maharashtra
As the BJP, Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s factions work together, the opposition is also gearing up to present a strong challenge. Although the coalition is referred to as Mahayuti, the opposition parties are strategizing to unite against it effectively.
Amit Shah’s firm involvement and guidance are seen as pivotal for the BJP alliance to enhance its chances of success in the Maharashtra elections. In the coming weeks, significant decisions regarding constituency allocations and campaigning strategies will be finalized, setting the stage for the elections.
