The Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024 have brought a complicated, even chaotic, political landscape to the fore.
With shifting loyalties, rebel leaders, numerous factions, and six major parties split into two main coalitions, the election has intensified with proxy candidates in the fray.
Recently, 3,203 candidates withdrew from the race as nominations closed, suggesting that the stringent warnings from party leaders against overcrowding may have had an impact.
But what factors will ultimately drive the outcome—will it be the influence of prominent leaders, critical issues, or party loyalties?
The main parties
The contest primarily centres on two coalitions. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition includes the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
On the other side is the Mahayuti coalition, comprising the BJP, Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction.
Hopefuls for the role of kingmaker
Meanwhile, Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM party is standing apart, contesting only 16 seats. This strategic choice has surprised some, given that Maharashtra is considered AIMIM’s next stronghold outside Telangana.
Reportedly, the party’s aim is to increase winability, positioning itself as a potential "kingmaker" if no coalition achieves a majority.
AIMIM Maharashtra President Imtiaz Jameel recently remarked that the abundance of factions and new political alignments has made this an unusually complex election.
Key players and ideological rifts
In these elections, several key leaders have emerged as pivotal. Uddhav Thackeray will spearhead Shiv Sena (UBT), while Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction seeks to consolidate its influence.
The two Shiv Sena factions will be competing against each other in as many as 53 of the state’s 288 constituencies.
Notable figures expected to shape the election’s outcome include Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, NCP leader Praful Patel, Congress Maharashtra chief Nana Patole, and Aaditya Thackeray of Shiv Sena (UBT).
With Maharashtra as a financial hub, the political personalities here have gained national prominence over the years. However, in this election, the battle lines are drawn not only by personalities but also by factions and ideologies.
The ideological distinctions, often muddied by splits within the Shiv Sena and the NCP, may further complicate the voter’s choice.
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