Maharashtra Assembly polls: Ten interesting fights as nomination withdrawal date ends

Sangola
Shahajibapu Patil (SS) vs Dipakbaba Salunkhe (SS-UBT) Vs Babasaheb Deshmukh (PWP)

Despite the leaders of MVA announcing no friendly fights, Sangola in Solapur district will witness a triangular battle between SS-UBT and PWP as both sides have claimed stake on the said seat. Ruling Shiv Sena’s current MLA Shahajibapu Patil will be defending his seat against the two candidates from the MVA.

Nandgaon
Suhas Kande (SS) vs Ganesh Dhatrak (SS-UBT) vs Sameer Bhujbal (Ind)

Resigning from the post of Mumbai NCP chief, Sameer Bhujbal – nephew of senior Maharashtra minister Chhagan Bhujbal – has decided to contest the Nandgaon assembly seat in Nasik district as an independent. Despite efforts from the Shinde led Sena who have Suhas Kande as their official candidate, the leader from the ally NCP has declined to withdraw. MVA has, meanwhile, given a ticket to SS-UBT leader Ganesh Dhatrak, making it a triangular fight.

Mahim
Sada Sarvankar (SS) vs Mahesh Sawant (SS-UBT) vs Amit Thackeray (MNS)

Despite speculation and pressure on Mahim’s current MLA Sada Sarvankar to withdraw the nomination to help the electoral debut of MNS chief Raj Thackeray’s son Amit, the Sena MLA has decided to contest, making it a triangular fight in Mahim.

Solapur South
Subhash Deshmukh (BJP) vs Amar Patil (SS-UBT) vs Dharmaraj Kadadi (Ind)

Despite the withdrawal of nomination from Congress candidate Dilip Mane, Solapur south is set to witness a triangular fight as sugar baron Dharmaraj Kadadi has refused to withdraw from the fight. Kadadi had extended support to Congress’ Praniti Shinde in Lok Sabha elections despite Amar Patil from SS-UBT being the official candidate from the MVA, speculation persists that Kadadi was only willing to support Praniti Shinde.

Kolhapur North
Rajesh Kshirsagar (SS) vs Rajesh Latkar (Ind)

Congress’ official candidate Madhurimaraje Chhatrapati withdrew her nomination at the last moment, leaving her party in the lurch. Her withdrawal means that there will be no official Congress candidate from Kolhapur North seat and the party will extend support to independent candidate Rajesh Latkar – who was earlier declared the official candidate of the Congress but not given the ticket after it was met with some opposition.

Sangli
Dhananjay Gadgil (BJP) vs Prithviraj Patil (Cong) vs Jayashree Madan Patil (Ind)

A rebellion in Congress and refusal to withdraw the nomination by Jayashree Patil, has turned the battle of Sangli into a triangular one. Incumbent BJP MLA Dhananjay Gadgil will defend his seat against Prithviraj Patil of Congress and Jayashree Patil –family member of former Maharashtra CM Vasantdada Patil.

Belapur
Manda Mhatre (BJP) vs Sandeep Naik (NCP-SP) vs Vijay Nahata (Ind)

Vijay Nahata rebellion in the Shiv Sena has turned the contest in Belapur in Navi Mumbai into a three-pronged fight. Incumbent Manda Mhatre will face the challenge of her former-colleague-turned-opponent Sandeep Naik and bureaucrat turned politician Vijay Nahata, who refused to budge despite directions from CM Eknath Shinde.

Pandharpur
Samadhan Autade (BJP) vs Anil Sawant (NCP-SP) vs Bhagirath Bhalke (Cong)

Congress and NCP-SP have refused to withdraw nominations from Pandharpur seat in Solapur district which is presently held by BJP’s Samadhan Autade.

Mira Bhayander
Geeta Jain (Ind) vs Mujaffar Hussain (Cong) vs Narendra Mehta (BJP)

Declining candidature to sitting MLA Geeta Jain, the BJP has chosen former MLA Narendra Mehta as the ruling coalition’s official candidate. Congress has fielded its old hand and former MLA Mujaffar Hussain. Jain has decided to contest as an independent making it a three-way.

Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar
Abu Azmi(SP) vs Nawab Malik (NCP) vs Suresh Patil (SS)

A high profile seat represented by Samajwadi Party’s Abu Azmi since 2009 is set to also witness a three cornered contest. While NCP led by Ajit Pawar has fielded Nawab Malik against Azmi, a Shinde led Sena rebel candidate Suresh Patil has not withdrawn his nomination and is being supported by the BJP, making the fight even more open.