By Web Desk
Mumbai: The political landscape in Maharashtra is set for a major showdown tomorrow as polling for the state’s 288-member Assembly takes place in a single phase. Voting will start at 7 AM and conclude at 6 PM, with extensive arrangements in place to ensure smooth elections. A total of 4,136 candidates, including 2,086 independents, are contesting the elections, with the major political parties fielding a significant number of candidates.
The ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is focused on retaining power, while the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), comprising the Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP, and Congress, is looking to stage a comeback. The BJP will contest 149 seats, the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) 81, and the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) 59. On the other hand, the Congress is contesting 101 seats, Shiv Sena (UBT) 95, and NCP (SP) 86.
In addition, smaller parties like the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) are also active, with the BSP fielding 237 candidates and AIMIM contesting in 17 constituencies.
Tomorrow’s elections will be crucial in determining the future political direction of Maharashtra, with intense competition between the two major alliances and multiple regional and smaller parties vying for influence. The results will have significant implications not just for the state, but also for the broader political dynamics in India.