BJP Secures Support from Rebel Candidates in Key Seats: Intense Competition in Mumbai and Pune Assembly Seats

A record number of candidates are competing in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, with 4,140 nominees vying for 288 seats across the state.

A record number of candidates are competing in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, with 4,140 nominees vying for 288 seats across the state. This figure, representing a 28% increase from the 3,239 candidates who contested in 2019, follows the withdrawal of 2,938 nominations, leaving a significant increase in the candidate pool. Voting is scheduled for November 20, and results will be announced on November 23. Notably, Beed’s Majalgaon seat has the highest number of candidates at 34, while Shahada in Nandurbar has only three. In major regions, Mumbai has 420 candidates across 36 seats, while Pune’s 21 seats will see 303 contenders. The nomination withdrawal process revealed some internal party shifts. In Kolhapur North, Congress faced disappointment as candidate Madhurima Raje Chhatrapati pulled out, reportedly due to conflicts over an earlier candidate. Her withdrawal leaves Congress without a nominee in this stronghold.

Meanwhile, BJP saw veteran leader Gopal Shetty withdraw from Mumbai’s Borivali constituency, pledging support for the official BJP nominee. The party also managed to clear candidate challenges in Pune’s Chinchwad seat by securing the withdrawal of a rebel candidate. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena’s candidate, Dada Sarvankar, remains in the Mahim race despite pressure to step down, with his primary competitor being Amit Thackeray of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, supported by the ruling Mahayuti coalition. In Pune, seven Congress rebels withdrew, supporting the party’s official nominees. Shiv Sena’s Deolali and Dindori candidates, initially fielded by the Shinde-led faction despite official allocation to the NCP, also withdrew. This election will be held in a single phase, with Maharashtra eagerly awaiting the results on November 23.