- As nominations close for Maharashtra’s assembly elections, both Mahayuti and MVA face threats from rebel candidates and shifting alliances.
- Both coalitions struggle with last-minute changes to candidate lists, risking loyalist splits that could alter electoral calculations.
- Internal conflicts in constituencies, with independents and cross-party candidates filing nominations, raise uncertainty as the deadline for candidate withdrawal approaches on November 4.
Can These Unsettled Alliances Impact Poll Results?
With the final withdrawal date approaching, the Maharashtra assembly elections have revealed simmering tensions within the two main coalitions. The ruling Mahayuti alliance (comprising BJP, Shiv Sena under CM Eknath Shinde, and Ajit Pawar’s faction of the NCP) and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (including Congress, Shiv Sena under Uddhav Thackeray, and Sharad Pawar’s NCP faction) are both dealing with rebel candidates. Dissatisfied with being overlooked, loyal party members who were denied tickets are challenging their official party choices by filing as independent candidates. In some cases, they even face candidates from their allied parties, adding another layer of unpredictability to an already intense race.
For instance, the BJP and Congress have replaced several sitting MLAs, leading to discontent among ousted candidates. Gopal Shetty, a prominent BJP leader, has filed an independent nomination against his party’s official candidate for the Borivali seat. In other districts, similar replacements and reshuffles are sparking independent candidacies across constituencies, especially in Mumbadevi, Aurangabad, and Chandrapur.
Why Are Independents and Rebels a Major Concern?
In some constituencies, alliances and seat-sharing arrangements have left loyal party members feeling sidelined, making it hard to present a united front. In Solapur South, for example, the Congress has endorsed an independent candidate, causing friction with its allies in the MVA. Political observers believe that these splits in loyalty might alter the course of the elections, especially where voters choose candidates based on individual reputation. With rebels standing against official nominees in crucial areas, the two coalitions risk losing critical support.
Looking Ahead: What’s at Stake for the Maharashtra Elections?
As November 4 approaches, Maharashtra’s political landscape could shift further, as candidates decide whether to withdraw their independent nominations or continue to challenge official alliances. Polling is scheduled for November 20, with results to be counted on November 23. This fierce competition between Mahayuti and MVA, combined with internal dissension, independents, and shifting alliances, could result in significant surprises at the polls, especially in tightly contested areas. The final lineup at each of Maharashtra’s 288 assembly seats will reveal whether these alliances can withstand the strain of internal conflicts or if the rebels will redefine the election’s outcome.
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