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Maharashtra elections 2024: What’s at stake for Eknath Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis, Sharad and Ajit Pawar, Uddhav, Raj and Aaditya Thackeray, Supriya Sule and Nana Patole
The key players in the Mahayuti versus MVA battle in Maharashtra. (File)
Maharashtra on Wednesday voted for what is being called its “most unusual” election.
It saw its share of usual political drama – from names being discussed till the last minute to physical attacks, bitcoin and cash distribution allegations. But one key factor made it different – it is make or break for many political stalwarts from the state.
While the Senas – Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde – are embroiled in a battle to claim the political legacy of Bal Thackeray, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is seeing a family fight between Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar jeopardise its political future. Meanwhile, Nana Patole and Devendra Fadnavis are hoping the regional fights don’t hit the national parties much.
For Raj Thackeray, Aaditya Thackeray and Supriya Sule, it is all about carving their indisputable niche in Maharashtra.
A look at the nine key players in Maharashtra assembly elections 2024:
EKNATH SHINDE (SHINDE SENA)
Eknath Shinde split the Shiv Sena to become the chief minister with Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Devendra Fadnavis. He also won seven of the 15 seats he fought in the Lok Sabha polls. But assembly elections are different. This is where Shinde, who is fighting on 81 seats, will have to prove that Maharashtra has accepted him as the leader of the Shiv Sena, whose name and symbol he has. Shinde is hoping the ‘Ladki Bahin’ scheme and his being a Maratha leader will pay off for him, amid the quota fight.
A good score would cement his position as the Shiv Sena chief and political heir to the late Bal Thackeray and his mentor Anand Dighe and a likely push to be made the CM again. A bad performance would mean the return of some of his leaders to the UBT faction and change the face of Shiv Sena yet again.
DEVENDRA FADNAVIS (BJP)
After the Lok Sabha debacle, where the BJP won only 9 of the 28 seats it contested, Devendra Fadnavis, who is considered the architect behind the split in the Shiv Sena and NCP, is under pressure to perform in Maharashtra. While Fadnavis claims the mistakes have been fixed, the assembly elections will be the real test. The BJP has contested 149 seats and has also run its campaign on the ‘batenge to katenge’ slogan. However, a lot of the Maratha ire has been directed towards him.
If the BJP manages a good score, Fadnavis could return as the CM, for which there are many contenders, or get a bigger role in the party. If it doesn’t, it may raise questions on his leadership.
AJIT PAWAR (NCP AP)
Ajit Pawar joined hands with the BJP in 2022, after his similar bid in 2019 failed. As the deputy CM, he always seemed ill at ease in the Mahayuti. His different stance on the ‘batenge to katenge’ campaign and the meeting between senior Pawar and Amit Shah has further substantiated the belief. In the Lok Sabha polls, he managed to win only one of the five seats contested, losing Baramati to his cousin Supriya Sule, despite having the party symbol and name. This time, he upped his game. While he refrained from talking against his uncle and NCP founder Sharad Pawar, he even got a rap from the SC to stop using the senior Pawar’s name and photos. He is facing his nephew Yugendra Pawar in Baramati.
Like Shinde, Ajit Pawar will have to prove his might this time in the 59 constituencies he is fighting from. A poor score would mean people have rejected his “joined the BJP for development” stance. Apart from return to power, a good score would mean the acceptance of his faction as the real NCP by voters, supporters and party leaders, making him the de facto political heir of Ajit Pawar or even better, the role of the kingmaker or even the CM.
Uddhav Thackeray (Shiv Sena UBT)
From a CM to fight for survival, the battle has been tough for Uddhav Thackeray. Amid the emotional appeals and legal tussle, he lost the Shiv Sena name and symbol, but kept fighting to be the political heir to his father the late Bal Thackeray. The sympathy factor helped him nine of the 21 seats he contested in the Lok Sabha polls. Now, he fighting on 95 seats, with the sympathy factor on the wane.
A good score would make his faction the “real Sena” and help him stake claim to the CM post, either for him or even his son, Aaditya. A poor performance would naturally push his supporters and leaders towards the Shinde Sena, putting a question mark on his political future.
SHARAD PAWAR (NCP SP)
While his nephew asked him to resign mentioning his age, the octogenarian, the architect of the MVA, is going strong, leading the fight for his party. While Sharad Pawar, often called the Chanakya of politics, pitched his grandnephew in family bastion Baramati, he led the charge against “betrayer” Chhagan Bhujbal. Winning 8 of the 10 seats the party contested in the Lok Sabha polls has given the faction its confidence back. But the mettle will be tested in the assembly elections, where it is contesting 86 seats. His wife to daughter and MP Supriya Sule and the rest of his extended family has been backing the senior in the Pawar tussle, and western Maharashtra remains his stronghold.
A good score again would mean crushing Ajit Pawar’s rebellion and the return of its leaders. A bad one, like for Sena, would lead to leaders joining Ajit Pawar, thus a question mark on the political future of the faction.
Nana Patole (Congress)
As the state Congress chief, Nana Patole managed to win 13 of the 17 seats they contested. But there is always a fear of a Haryana-like debacle owing to infighting. The assembly polls, where the party is contesting 101 seats, remain crucial for Patole. He has been putting his weight behind the campaign, mainly in Vidarbha. Patole has had his share of struggle with the Sen and
A win on the back of reservation and quota narrative would make him stronger in the Congress. A loss would put the blame on him.
SUPRIYA SULE (NCP SP)
The announcement of her name as the working president of the NCP led to cousin Ajit Pawar’s rebellion. Keen to prove that she is capable of taking everyone along, Supriya Sule fought a tough battle in the Lok Sabha elections, in which she emerged victorious. The assembly elections are key for her to establish her place in state.
A good score would be a stamp of approval for her leadership. A poor score would mean Ajit Pawar still calls the shots in the state.
AADITYA THACKERAY (SENA UBT)
While his father, Uddhav Thackeray, fights a battle for political survival, Aaditya is keen to be seen as the next-gen leader. At a News18 event recently, he had refused to be called “the leader in making”, saying it is time for the adjective to change. From opposition against the ruling alliance to his stance on development, Aaditya Thackeray has been among the vocal leaders from the opposition alliance. He is fighting to retain Worli seat.
A good score and consequent government formation would mean a place for him in the cabinet. A poor performance would mean another fight for the party’s survival.
RAJ THACKERAY (MNS)
While his constant flip-flops failed to help the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) retain the popularity it began with, party chief Raj Thackeray still remains keen on being a “kingmaker”. While the MNS won 13 assembly seats in 2009 elections, its first state polls after the party came into existence, in 2019, the number came down to one. This time, the MNS has worked out an arrangement with Mahayuti on some seats. Thackeray’s son Amit is also in the fray from Mahim.
A decent score would help his party join or support the Mahayuti and build the cadre. A poor performance would mean the MNS will continue to be seen as a fringe player.
