BJP tries to retain bastions as 11 seats vote in Maharashtra on Monday

Approximately, 2.28 crore voters are eligible to participate in the elections on May 13, comprising 1.18 crore males, 1.09 crore females, and 1272 third-gender voters.

In the 11 constituencies, there will be 23,284 polling centres, 83 of which are deemed critical. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar constituency in Marathwada has the highest number of critical polling centres at 20. The voting process will utilise 53,959 ballot units, 23,284 control units, and 23,284 VVPAT machines.

This phase holds particular significance for the ruling BJP, as it had won seven out of the 11 seats in 2019 that included North Maharashtra, known as the party’s stronghold. However, the BJP is facing tough competition in two of the three LS seats in North Maharashtra. The party is also engaged in a tough battle in Beed and Jalna over the possibility of a consolidation of the Maratha community against it. The party faces the challenge of retaining Nandurbar, Jalgaon, Raver, Pune, Ahmednagar, Beed and Jalna.

In the ruling alliance, the BJP will contest a maximum of seven seats, while Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena will contest three seats, and Ajit Pawar-led NCP will contest one seat in Shirur.

On the opposition front, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena will compete on four seats, while Sharad Pawar-led NCP and the Congress will contest four and three seats, respectively.

This phase has seen Prime Minister Narendra Modi holding campaign rallies for NDA candidates in Nandurbar, Beed and Ahmednagar. PM Modi had previously held a rally in Pune.

For the opposition, Priyanka Gandhi held a rally in Nandurbar, while Rahul Gandhi conducted a campaign rally in Pune earlier. However, the star campaigner for the opposition turned out to be Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray, who campaigned for his party and allies in Jalgaon, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maval, Pune and Ahmednagar.

Veteran politician Sharad Pawar’s political realignments, including bringing in Ajit Pawar camp MLA Nilesh Lanke to his side and giving him the candidature in Ahmednagar, have disrupted the calculations of the politically stronger Vikhe-Patil family of the BJP. Reports also suggest a Maratha consolidation against the ruling alliance, which has increased the worries of the BJP.

Key contests in Maharashtra from Phase

Nandurbar (ST)

The traditional stronghold of the Congress was won by BJP’s Dr Heena Gavit in 2014 and again in 2019. In 2024, former minister and MLA KC Padvi’s son, advocate Gowaal Padvi from Congress, will challenge the incumbent Dr. Gavit — daughter of the state’s Tribal Development minister, Vijaykumar Gavit from this tribal dominated constituency.

Contestants: Dr Heena Gavit (BJP) and advocate Gowal Padvi (Cong)

Jalgaon

A traditional stronghold of the BJP, Jalgaon witnessed political upheaval after the BJP denied a ticket to incumbent Unmesh Patil. Former MLA Smita Wagh, an old-timer from the party, was given the ticket. Patil joined the Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray but extended support to Sena candidate Karan Pawar. This marks the first time these parties are contesting against each other from Jalgaon.

Contestants: Smita Wagh (BJP) and Karan Pawar (SS-UBT)

Raver

In a surprising turn of events, the BJP retained its incumbent MP Raksha Khadse, daughter-in-law of BJP-turned-NCP leader Eknath Khadse who is said to be on his way back to the BJP. The NCP-SP has fielded industrialist Shriram Patil. This seat, known for its overwhelming population of the Leva-Patil community, has been a traditional stronghold of the BJP.

Contestants: Raksha Khadse (BJP) and Shriram Patil (NCP-SP)

Jalna

Jalna, the epicenter of Maratha agitation in 2023, has been with the BJP since 1996. Five-term Lok Sabha MP Raosaheb Danve is seeking his sixth term, challenged by Kalyan Kale from Congress.

Contestants: Raosaheb Danve (BJP) and Kalyan Kale (Cong)

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

The headquarters of the Marathwada region saw a surprise in 2019 when it elected Imtiyaz Jaleel of the AIMIM. Jaleel is contesting again, challenged by Chandrakant Khaire of Sena and MLA Sandupan Bhumre.

Contestants: Imtiyaz Jaleel (AIMIM) and Chandrakant Khaire (SS-UBT), Sandipan Bhumre (SS)

Maval

Maval in western Maharashtra has been won by Shiv Sena since the seat came into existence post delimitation in 2009. Sena’s incumbent Shrirang Barne is challenged by Sanjog Waghere from Thackeray-led Sena.

Contestants: Shrirang Barne (SS) and Sanog Waghere (SS-UBT)

Pune

Pune will witness an interesting battle, with three first-timers and well-known politicians in the fray. The BJP has fielded former Pune mayor Muralidhar Mohol, while Congress has given a ticket to its MLA Ravindra Dhangekar. Former MNS leader Vasant More will contest from Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA).

Contestants: Muralidhar Mohol (BJP), Ravindra Dhangekar (Cong) and Vasant More (VBA)

Shirur

The western Maharashtra seat was won twice by Shiv Sena’s Shivajirao Adhalrao-Patil and once by NCP’s Amol Kolhe in 2019. Kolhe will contest this time from NCP-SP, while Adhalrao-Patil will represent the NCP.

Contestants: Amol Kolhe (NCP-SP) and Shivajirao Adhalrao Patil (NCP)

Ahmednagar

The BJP has won this seat three times in a row. Sitting MP Sujay Vikhe-Patil has been renominated for the second time. To counter him, Sharad Pawar’s NCP-SP has fielded MLA Nilesh Lanke who recently quit the ranks of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP.

Contestants: Sujay Vikhe-Patil (BJP) and Nilesh Lanke (NCP-SP)

Shirdi (SC)

In the seat won by Shiv Sena since 2009, former MPs are fighting this time. Incumbent Sadashiv Lokhande will contest from Shinde-led Sena, while former MP Bhausaheb Wakchaure will contest from Sena-UBT. Congress’ Utkarsha Rupwate will fight from the VBA.

Contestants: Sadashiv Lokhande (SS), Bhausaheb Wakchaure (SS-UBT) and Utkarsha Rupwate (VBA)

Beed

Known for its highly polarised environment and caste consolidation, Beed witnesses a heated battle between Pankaja Munde of the BJP and Bajrang Sonwane of the NCP-SP.

Contestants: Pankaja Munde (BJP) and Bajrang Sonwane (NCP-SP)