Maharashtra Election Updates

Date: 07-10-2019

Pachora Assembly Election 2019:- Devendra Fadnavis-led current Maharashtra Assembly will be ended on 9 November 2019, so voting for 288 member assembly will be held on 21st Oct 2019 in a single phase and result would be declared on 24th Oct 2019
Shivsena is in a strong position in Pachora they already won three of the last four elections. Shivsena once again fielded MLA Kishore Appa Patil and on the other hand NCP leader Onkar Wagh 2014 runner up into the fray.
Amalner Constituency:- Amalner is in the district Jalgaon in Maharashtra. in 2014 election the independent candidate S Hiralal Chaudhary won this seat and later he joined BJP and in 2009 Assembly election, independent candidate Krushibhushan Sahebrao Patil won this seat and he also joined BJP. The conclusion is BJP is in a strong position here.

Date: 17-10-2014

Internal Congress assessment indicates that the party will get just around 30 seats in Maharashtra assembly.

After the exit polls predicted BJP to be the single largest political party in Maharashtra, BJP’s Maharashtra chief Devendra Fadnavis has suddenly found himself as the central topic of discussion because he is one of the front runners for the coveted post of Maharashtra’s Chief Minister.
Shiv Sena activists seem to be a little bit jittery of the thought that BJP may emerge as the single largest party in Maharashtra assembly election of 2014. Till recently almost every Shiv Sainink used to think themselves as the bigger party than BJP in Maharashtra. But after looking at the Exit Poll results, they are coming back to reality.
The 5 heavyweight political leaders from Maharashtra who are awaiting results with abated breadth are Prithviraj Chavan of INC, Ajit Pawar of NCP, Devendra Fadnavis of BJP, Narayan Rane of INC, and Chhagan Bhujbal of NCP. October 19 result is expected to decide future of these heavyweight politicians.
As exit polls predict NCP to get 40 seats during this election season, some quarters have started rumoring about the possible alliance between Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party to thwart BJP, if the situation arises.
Sugar belt of Maharashtra, the Western part of state, may see some unexpected result as these places saw good turnout during October 15 poll. Some of the constituencies witnessed around 5 per cent rise in polling.
A 60 year old woman named Jebubai Bawale was set on fire in Babulgaon village after she exercised her franchise in favour of a candidate which is against the instructions given by some activists belonging to a certain political party.
Turnout during assembly election in Maharashtra increased by 4 per cent when compared with the 2014 Lok Sabha election.

Date: 16-10-2014

In Maharashtra, Today’s Chanakya has given 151 seats to BJP, 71 to Shiv Sena, 28 to NCP, 27 to INC and 11 to others. ABP New-Nielson poll has given BJP 144 seats, SS 77 seats, INC 30 seats, NCP 29 seats and Others 8 seats. India TV-CVoter has predicted 124-134 seats for BJP, 51-61 seats for SS, 38-48 seats for INC, 31-41 seats for NCP, and 18-30 seats for Others. To get majority in Maharashtra assembly a party or coalition has to get atleast 145 seats.
After checking out the exit poll results, Tariq Anwar of Nationalist Congress Party admitted that there was strong incumbency factor against their INC-NCP government, if the exit poll results indeed come out to be true.
Out of 8.35 crore voters, 64 per cent voters cast their votes in Maharashtra.
Narendra Modi’s Madison Square speech shown in many Marathi channels just before October 15 election is in the process of examination by Election Commission. Congress had complained against this after the re-telecast by saying that it was shown again just before the polls to get electoral gains.
Bollywood comes out to vote in large numbers during Maharashtra assembly election. In fact, the celebrities also encouraged voters of Mumbai and Maharashtra to vote. However, in case of Mumbai their plea and ‘get inked’ tweets and images fell flat as the turnout in the commercial capital was quite low, far below the average. Some of the renowned names who voted on October 15 assembly election are Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Ranvir Kapoor, Rekha, Deepika Padukone, Javed Akhtar, Abhishek Bachchan and many more.
Though BJP’s star campaigner Narendra Modi campaigned against Ajit Pawar in the NCP stronghold – Baramati, Ajit Pawar is still sure of winning the election with big margin.
Though all the exit polls indicate huge lead for BJP in Maharashtra, the political parties have started to work on Plan B. They are doing this so that they can choose the proper partner for forming the next government.
Uddhav Thackeray, Shiv Sena chief, comes clean on his ‘chaiwala’ (tea vendor) jibe at Narendra Modi. He said that the tea-vendor comment was done to show how powerful the Indian electorates are, who can place any common man to the chair of Prime Minister.
In Beed Lok Sabha bypoll, where Pritam Munde (Late Gopinath Munde’s daughter) is the BJP candidate, 66 per cent turnout was witnessed on October 15 election.

Date: 15-10-2014

On 15th October amid tight security, Maharashtra went in to vote to decide the fate of the 4,119 candidates contesting elections from the 288 assembly seats. Voters started queuing up at polling booths from around 7 AM, among the early political voters were Ajit Pawar of NCP, MP Supriya Sule from Baramati, and BJP's Pankaja Munde from Beed. Maharashtra Elections were marred by a lot of problems although. The first incident to be noted in Maharashtra was of a technical snag in an EVM machine in Badshapur. Then early around 9 am there were reports of EVM machines being found at Zonal officer's home in Vasai. Voting was low in many areas owing to very heavy rainfall in those regions. By 12 PM there was highest voting recorded in Gadchiroli (34%) however this polling booth was later shut down due to naxal attack on the booth, the voter turnout though in this region remained the highest in Maharashtra closing at 65%. Polling ended in Maharashtra at 64% which was 3.63% higher than the voting in 2009.

Date: 14-10-2014

Last moment relook before Maharashtra goes for poll: Around 8.25 crore electorates will vote on October 15 to decide fate of 4,119 candidates, contesting for 288 assembly constituencies. Unlike last elections, this is a five-cornered contest between BJP, INC, Shiv Sena, NCP, and MNS. INC has fielded most number of candidates in the state (287). While BJP fielded 280 candidates, Maharashtra Navnirman has fielded 219 candidates, Nationalist Congress Party 278 candidates, and Sena Shiv Sena 282 candidates.
Sources have revealed that Narendra Modi is expecting Bharatiya Janata Party to win more than 165 seats in Maharashtra assembly election of 2014. However, he is also keeping his options open for possible post poll alliance too.
By closely following the election campaign of Maharashtra anyone can say which political party or person every other political party is attacking most. It is BJP and definitely Narendra Modi. In a span of ten days, Modi addressed twenty five rallies. In contrast Congress organised only 6 for its heavy weight candidates – Sonia and Rahul.
Asaduddin Owaisi led MIM or Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen was earlier concentrated to just Hyderabad. But this time it has fare chances of winning at least one seat in Maharashtra. The party has fielded twenty five candidates across Maharashtra.
BJP State President of Maharashtra and CM hopeful Devendra Fadnavis has said with confidence that his party is going to capture state power in Maharashtra for the very time. He is expecting full majority for his party.
Even before Maharashtra goes to poll, BJP has started the process of selecting its Chief Ministerial candidate. The fight seems to be between Devendra Fadnavis and Pankaja Munde. However, the state BJP President seems to be ahead in the race.
Election Commission has singled out around 9900 polling stations as hypersensitive in Maharashtra. This means among 91376 polling stations, ten per cent are hyper-sensitive. During October 15 Maharashtra assembly election, there will be two lakh police personnel deployed in various parts of the state. Moreover, reserved police force will also be there.

Date: 13-10-2014

In an unexpected turn of event Sharad Pawar of NCP has praised Shiv Sena Thackeray’s leadership qualities and said that after Balasaheb’s death it is Uddhav Thackeray who held the Shiv Sena united. Pawar also praised current Shiv Sena supremo for doing all he can to make Modi’s effort for 2014 Lok Sabha election a success.
On the last day of campaign in Maharashtra Modi is going to complete his campaigning spree by addressing three rallies in Maharashtra. For BJP, winning these assembly elections of both Haryana and Maharashtra has become especially important because it will help them increase their tally at Rajya Sabha to go ahead with their reform agenda.
Narendra Modi asked electorates of Maharashtra to vote against 15 years of INC-NCP misrule. He emphasised upon the importance of having a majority government rather than a coalition one. To stress upon this point he also said that America gives importance to India because the latter has a majority government..
49 per cent of the 1318 candidates in Maharashtra have criminal record against their names. This means, one out of every three candidates, across partylines, in Maharashtra have criminal charges against them.All the political parties, especially the major ones, in the state have fielded candidates who have criminal backgrounds.
On the last day of campaign, Narendra Modi tried to woo fishermen community in the tribal region of Palghar. Modi wooed them by reminding them that it is his government who negotiated with Pakistan to free the jailed fishermen suffering in jails of Pakistan.
Congress has complained to the EC about supposed MCC violation as some Marathi TV channels aired Indian PM Narendra Modi's Madison Speech in New York, just before the assembly polls. Congress has alleged it is an act of paid news on behalf of BJP.
Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel has claimed that many investors from Maharashtra, especially from Nashik region, shifted their base elsewhere because the INC-NCP government was unable to provide industrialists with their minimum needs.
BJP president of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis has pushed the ball to Narendra Modi’s court on the question of formation of separate state - Vidharbha. He said that formation of state in under the jurisdiction of center and is not a state matter.
Bombay Stock Exchange will remain closed on upcoming Maharashtra assembly election date – October 15. NCDEX, MCX, and NSE are also expected to remain closed on October 15.
Sharad Pawar of NCP has asked EC to hold referendum in Vidarbha to know the pulse of separate statehood demand. However, he also said that his party currently wants united Maharashtra.

Date: 12-10-2014

Narendra Modi has asked voters of Maharashtra to give majority to BJP so that it can help his party to carry forward the reform agendas.
BJP president Amit Shah is banking entirely upon Modi to win Maharashtra election. Many analysts have regarded this strategy to be highly risky. But many others point out the last bypoll election where Modi's absence cost BJP dear, even in Gujarat.
Narendra Modi sold 'Make In India' and tourism plans to electorates of Tuljapur for reviving the economy.
Some of the leading political faces who are going to face tough competitions during Maharashtra election are Narayan Rane of Congress, Sharad Pawar of NCP, Uddhav Thakeray of Shiv Sena, and Prithviraj Chavan of INC.
Opinion polls indicate that BJP is going to become the single largest party in Maharashtra after October 15 assembly election.
As October 15 nears, the political parties are doing away with decency of words. While Shiv Sena chief has called the Indian PM 'dilli ki billi' (Delhi's Cat), BJP President Amit Shah has said that Shiv Sena will turn into a mouse after election.
Pankaja Munde, the daughter of deceased BJP leader Gopinath Munde and also a leading contender for CM's post, is contesting a tough battle to retain Parli Assembly seat. She is contesting against NCP's Dhananjay Munde, who happens to be her cousin.
Five cornered fight in Western Maharashtra has again given rise to caste/community politics over scams, ideologies, and anti-incumbency factors.
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackrey has accused Narendra Modi's silence as one of the main reasons behind BJP-SS split.

Date: 11-10-2014

As per ABP News-Nielsen Opinion Poll, BJP along with its present allies are expected to win 120 seats, Shiv Sena 67 seats, INC 46 seats, and NCP 36 seats. This means BJP is missing the magic number by 25 seats and this may lead to patching up with Shiv Sena after the polls.
BSP's Mayawati addressed a huge rally in Nagpur where she played the Vidharbha card. She said that rich people are robbing the mineral rich area of Vidharbha, with backing fom BJP and Congress. She assured people of forming Vidarbha if her party assumes power.
Shiv Sena released its election manifesto just five days ahead of poll where they gave due importance to overall development of Maharashtra and also stressed on keeping Maharashtra united.
Venkaiyah Naidu of BJP has stressed that his party will get majority in the assembly. He also ruled out any possibility of allying with NCP. Naidu said that NCP is going to have one of their worst election performances and any party allying with them will also face the same rage of Maharashtrian voters.
MIM or All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen is contesting 12 seats in Mumbai. After tasting success during Nanded civic body election, they have fielded their candidates in the upcoming assebly election.
Anandiben Patel, CM of Gujarat, has said that Marathi and Gujarati people don't have any threat to each other.

Date: 10-10-2014

Retaliating to BJP's call of banishing Congress from Maharashtra, Rahul Gandhi replied back that his party can never be driven out of the state because it is his party which worked for the benefit of tribals and poors. He also claimed that it is their government that changed the archaic land acquisition law to protect farmer rights and give better package to land losers.
Some of the names that are surfacing for the post of Chief Minister in Maharashtra are Devendra Fadnavis, Pankaja Munde, and Nitin Gadkari.
While addressing a huge rally at Hingroli, Indian PM said that the time has come for change. He said that the last 15 years of INC-NCP rule didn't pay heed to the needs of poor people.
Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu has confidently said that BJP is going to form the next government in both Maharashtra and Haryana after upcoming October 15 election.
NCP Chief took a dig on Narendra Modi by saying that the leaders who defected from his party to BJP have become saint overnight. Earlier BJP called NCP leaders corrupt but during October 15 assembly election 50 per cent of their candidates are from NCP and INC.
Satgonda Revgonda Patil, the INC candidate from Shirol Assembly seat is 94 years old but is more alert, sprightly, and agile than any of his partymen and rivals.
While addressing a rally at Brahmapuri in Naxal affected Chandrapur, Narendra Modi has asked youth, who took up guns, to give up terrorism and use plough to transform their own lives.
Week-Hansa Research poll gives BJP 154 seats, India Today-Cicero poll 125-144 seats, and CVoter-NewsX poll 105 seats out of 288 Maharashtra assembly seats. The magic figure to form government is 145.

Date: 09-10-2014

While addressing a rally in western Maharashtra, Congress President Sonia Gandhi said that BJP spreads hatred among people in the society. She urged the voters not to get fooled by the mask BJP is wearing now. She also regarded both Shiv Sena and BJP as opportunist and projected them as two sides of the same coin.

Ram Naik, Uttar Pradesh Governor, has cast his vote through postal ballot for upcoming October 15 Maharashtra assembly election. He said that to save money as well as time he requested for postal ballot from the returning officer for himself as well as his wife.
While addressing a crowd at Pune's Baramati, Narendra Modi has called the people as his High Command and also called himself a common man. He went on to take dig at Nationalist Congress Party and INC by referring them as Kings who fail to understand the psyche and needs of common people. He urged that the time has come for the kings to answer the civilians. Modi stressed upon the fact that the farmers have woken up and are fighting for securing their rights.
Sushma Swaraj while addressing a rally at Kharghar said that she was pained by Uddhav Thackeray's comparison of BJP and Narendra Modi with 'Afzal Khan'. She also asked the SS chief to maintain political decorum while making comment.
Uddhav Thackeray's son Aditya Thackeray seems to be ushering in a new era for Shiv Sena as he is keeping the moral policing past of SS behind and promising 24x7 nightlife to people of Mumbai.
Raj Thackeray, MNS Chief, has cleared the air of rumor surrounding Shiv Sena-MNS alliance. He said that inspite of initial discussions alliance between his party and Sena didn't take place because Shiv Sena chief didn't take initiative and didn't respond back.
Prakash Javadekar has said that his party has launched a positive campaign in Maharashtra. They are not diverting from the core issue of corruption and misgovernance of erstwhile INC-NCP government. In fact, he claimed that BJP is also promising to provide alternative development-oriented government to the Maharashtrians.
Just like BJP, NCP and Congress in Maharashtra have also taken up social media channel to reach electorates. Though NCP and INC have started late, they are fast catching up with the social media efforts of BJP.

Date: 08-10-2014

Famous Maharashtra bookies predicted BJP to get 110 to 115 seats, thereby missing the magic number of 145 for claiming to government in Maharashtra. The other three major parties Shiv Sena, NCP, and INC will get 40-50 seats each. MNS is projected to win 15 to 20 seats. Bookies also predict post-poll alliance between BJP and Shiv Sena to form government.
Narendra Modi denied Shiv Sena's charges that BJP is planning to divide Maharashtra. Indian PM also assured that he will not let anyone divide Maharashtra till he is at centre. He also said that Mumbai will always be a part of Maharashtra. However, Devendra Fadnavis (BJP President of Maharashtra) said the same day that they are in favour of forming separate Vidarbha state.
Uddhav Thackeray has accused BJP on going soft on 'Hindutva' agenda and denied any possibility of Shiv Sena forging post poll alliance with BJP, which backstabbed them.
Narendra Modi has accused the erstwhile INC-NCP government of following incompetent/lacklustre policies for the last fifteen years that not only led to fall of Maharashtra but also led to immense suffering for onion and cotton farmers.
Shiv Sena hit out at Narendra Modi by questioning the works done by Modi in favour of Maharashta and its people after becoming PM.
Narendra Modi while campaigning in Nagpur said that BJP will transform scam tainted Maharashtra to 'Skilled Maharashtra' if comes to power.
Narayan Rane of INC now claims he is the Chief Ministerial candidate of Congress and not Prithviraj Chavan.
Narendra Modi claimed that his party will get a majority in Maharashtra Assembly during coming election and will prove the political pundits wrong who are projecting a fractured mandate.
After witnessing great response during his election campaigns in Maharashtra (Buldhana, Jalgaon, Dhule, Nagpur, and Nashik), Narendra Modi tweeted that the enthusiasm indicates the direction in which wind is blowing throughout the state.
BJP has fielded 50 such candidates who changed parties at the last moment, whom many are calling as 'imported candidates'. Most interestingly 35 of the heavyweight BJP candidates were earlier associated with either INC or NCP.
Raj Thackeray has slammed Narendra Modi again by asking him the reason why he is still obsessed with Gujarat, even when he is the Prime Minister of India now and not Chief Minister of Gujarat anymore.
Manohar Parrikar, Chief Minister of Goa, during an interview claimed that his party is committed in regaining lost glory of Maharashtra.
After BJP dumped its 25 year ally Shiv Sena almost unilaterally, it seems now that all the major political parties in Maharashtra (Shiv Sena, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, Nationalist Congress Party, and Indian National Congress) are attacking BJP rather than taking on each other.
Narendra Modi during his rally in Buldhana has urged voters to get rid of the sins of INC-NCP. He also asked voters to vote for Bharatiya Janata Party not because he is asking but because his party symbolises development.
While responding to Shiv Sena's jibe at him for campaigning in Maharashtra, Narendra Modi responded by saying that SS is crying because they are worried about the effects the massive public rallies are creating in the psyche of Maharashtra voters.
Narendra Modi during his Maharashtra rallies has said that he will not let division of Mahrashtra till he is PM of India. He also said that Mumbai will always be an integral part of Maharashtra. However, his party is in favour of smaller states. Moreover, the BJP leaders of Vidarbha region are in a fix after Modi's comment because they always vouched for a separate Vidarbha state.
Rahul Gandhi has jumped in the poll wagon at the last minute after Modi's blitzkrieg in Maharashtra. During his speech Rahul reminded voters of the state that it is his party that came to their rescue during one of the worst droughts in Maharashtra. Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to hold four rallies in the state.

Date: 07-10-2014

Narendra Modi's politically cunning stance of showing respect to Bal Thackeray has been severely criticised by Shiv Sena. They asked where the respect for Balasaheb was when BJP snapped the 25 year old tie, back-stabbing the saffron cause?
Shiv Sena supremo compared Narendra Modi's Maharashtra campaign with assault on Shivaji's dominion by Afzal Khan's army of Bijapur.
The common foe BJP may do the unthinkable – reunite Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navanirman Sena and Uddhav Thakkeray's Shiv Sena. In fact, efforts are being done to reunite the warring cousins.
Nirmala Sitaraman, Union Commerce & Industries Minister, has said that industries in Maharashtra are eagerly waiting a change for getting the right opportunity. She added agriculture also got adversely affected by wrong policies and failure in irrigation.
While heavyweight state leaders of BJP such as Jagadish Shettar, B S Yeddyurappa, Pralhad Joshi, G M Siddeshwara, D V Sadananda Gowda, and Kumar will be campaigning for BJP candidates in Ananth Maharashtra, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee is waiting for Maharashtra PCC's call for campaign.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has said that his party will win 150 out of 160 seats and will form government of its own in Maharashtra.
Rahul Gandhi is going to start his Maharashtra election campaign from October 8 from Mahad.
BSP's Mayawati will start her Maharashtra campaign on October 7. This election campaign tour will span over four days.
BJP candidates of Maharashtra are being closely watched by BJP President Amit Shah. GPS devices have been attached to their cars for tracking their movement.
Sriprakash Jaiswal of INC has been entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing 37 constituencies across Maharashtra.
Sharad Pawar of NCP hit back at Narendra Modi after latter's statement that the former has chosen safe Rajya Sabha route to avoid contesting the elections. Showing his contest of 14 elections, Pawar asked whether his supporters believe he will shirk away from contesting.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has indicated that they will openly vouch for BJP candidates in Maharashtra, especially in their strongholds.
Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu has shown confidence on his party's ability to assume power in Maharashtra.
Prithviraj Chavan, the CM face of Congress, is facing tough battle in Karad South, from his detractor and rival Vilasrao Undalkar. Undalkar has been winning this seat for the last 7 terms consecutively. This time he is contesting as an independent and NCP is giving him support.

Date: 06-10-2014

Anand Sharma of Congress has accused Narendra Modi of continuously threatening and insulting Maharashtra. He also pointed out the false claim of Modi that Maharashtra is behind Gujarat. Sharma said that in many areas Maharashtra is head of Gujarat including social development, industry, foreign investment, education, employment, infrastructure, etc.
During an election campaign in Gondia, Narendra Modi has said that the era of coalition politics is over. Referring to this, he asked the voters to give BJP a decisive majority to get better infrastructure and round the clock electricity.
Narendra Modi addressed several rallies in Maharashtra including Sangli and Kolhapur. He accused INC-NCP government of corruption and also charged Congress of forgetting Mahatma Gandhi. He reiterated that after the assembly election magnifying glass will be required to find INC and NCP. He also said that most communal clashes happened during INC-NCP government.
Narendra Modi didn't spare a single word against Shiv Sena as a way to show respect for Bal Thackerey. However, political analysts believe that by doing this Modi has kept a door open for post poll alliance with Shiv Sena.
MNS has surprised all political pundits by fielding its first North Indian candidate Akhilesh Chaubey from Kandivali (East) seat of Mumbai.
BJP as well as Shiv Sena are trying to woo votes of families belonging to Eastern Uttar Pradesh, who reside in Thane and Mumbai mainly. In fact, MNS's move to field their first North Indian candidate is also seen by many of wooing a section of this community.

Date: 05-10-2014

On October 4, Narendra Modi started his campaign for BJP candidates for Maharashtra from Beed. Some of the important points he stressed upon include 'Sabka saath, sabka vikas' (agenda of inclusive development), taking dig at the politicians becoming billionaires, missing the leadership of Gopinath Munde, asking for BJP's victory during upcoming assembly election, emphasising on the fact that India will progress if and only if Maharashtra progresses, Mumbai-Ahmedabad high speed railway, and many more.
INC's Narayan Rane has said that BJP may try to allure investors to Ahmedabad from Mumbai. This reaction comes at a time when Modi is all set to address 20 rallies in Maharashtra.
In a tactical move Narendra Modi didn't utter a single word against Shiv Sena, keeping the door open for post-poll alliance. However, he blamed the erstwhile INC-NCP alliance for destroying the state in the last 15 years.
Five main issues during Maharashtra assembly election are INC-NCP's numerous scams including Rs 70,000 crore irrigation scam and Adarsh scam; lack of infrastructural development of the state; Vidarbha statehood demand; farming issues including lack of proper prices for produce and shortage of farming capital/water; and the issue of reservation.
Political analysts believe that open-ended fight among MNS, BJP, Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress will lead to a photo finish in North Maharashtra constituencies.
Manikrao Thakre, Maharashtra's INC President, has said that his party should not be blamed for the break-up of 15 year old INC-NCP alliance. In fact, he reiterated that the worker of his party are relieved with the break-up and want to contest 288 seats all by themselves.
A television advert showing former Maharashtra CM Prithviraj Chavan as the current CM has drawn clarification from the Election Commission as the state is under President's rule currently. Chief Electoral Officer of Maharashtra Nitin Gadre has sought clarification from Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee.
Raju Shetti's Swabhimani Paksha is believed to give strong fight to its arch rival NCP. He is projecting his son-of-the-farmer image and is determined to contest against the NCP Goliaths who happen to be sugar barons of Western Mahrashtra. Swabhimani Paksha has joined NDA alliance and is belived to utilise Narendra Modi's image to create a dent at the NCP dominated Western Maharashtra.
During the Aurangabad rally, Narendra Modi regarded NCP as corrupt and not nationalist.

Date: 04-10-2014

MNS chief has shot back at BJP again. This time he targetted Maharashtra BJP by calling it faceless to point out no leading contender for the CM's position. He also opined that only for this reason they are bringing in Narendra Modi for the campaign.
Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray is also attacking BJP and accused them of double standards, where it is impossible to match words with actions. He also pointed out the extent of BJP's opportunism. During struggling days they took help of Shiv Sena but as good times came with BJP at the helm they deserted the party that helped them to get base in Maharashtra.
In Mumbai it is going to be a multi-cornered contest this time, making it that more unpredictable. While BJP is depending upon face value of Narendra Modi, Shiv Sena is working on its grassroot network to sail through. Congress is banking upon the leadership and goodwill of their projected CM candidate Prithviraj Chavan to win October 15 election.
In Shiv Sena's mouthpiece Saamna Uddhav Thackeray has stressed upon the fact that his party has earned the right to take decisions on self respect, history, and culture of Mharashtrian people.
While anti-incumbency sentiment is high among people of Maharashtra, this time there will be a 4-cornered contest among the major political parties in most of the seats.
NCP's Sharad Pawar seems to be softening stand on INC as he said that Sonia Gandhi can't be held responsible for the 15-year long snap of INC-NCP alliance. He also stressed on the fact that his party is not going to have any alliance with BJP.
BJP took dig on NCP and INC manifestos by regarding them as 'old wine in old bottle'. They also said that both the parties made the same promises they made in the earlier elections.
Maharashtra BJP chief Devendra Fadnavis has said that BJP is going to have a decisive majority and there will be no requirement of post-poll alliance.
A person from Hindu community has been selected as the candidate of All India Majlis-e-Itehadul Muslameen (AIMIM) for Kurla seat.

Date: 03-10-2014

7646 nominations were filed among which 6496 nominations were found to be valid. However, after the withdrawal of 2379 candidate names 4117 are contesting the polls currently. 8.33 crore electorate are eligible to cast votes through 9,1427 polling stations.
NCP has released its poll manifesto and some of the promises are insurance cover to all citizens living in the state, special ministry for OBCs, smart classrooms in all the schools, free laptops to students passing ClassXII exam, promise to mobilise Rs 80,000 crore to complete irrigation projects in Maharashtra.
Congress has also released its poll manifesto for Maharashtra assembly election and some of the promises made there are increase of health insurance for people having higher income (from 1.5 to 2.5 lakh), elimination of manual scavenging, police stations especially for women, welfare schemes for nomadic tribes, Rs 500 crore drought fund, etc.
MNS chief has now trained his guns against NCP chief Sharad Pawar. He has now accused him of breaking the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance of 25 years.
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has charged BJP of playing 'Vidarbha' card and also highlighted it as the reason for BJP to break the 25 year old alliance with Shiv Sena. He also warned BJP that SS was the reason of their rise in Maharashtra and they will also be the reason of BJP's nemesis.
Mohit Kamboj and Mangal Prabhat Lodha, candidates of BJP from Dindoshi and Malabar Hill seats respectively, are the richest candidates contesting this Maharashtra election. While the former has Rs 353.53 crore of declared assets, the latter has 198.61 crore asset.
Sugarcane price determination has beome one of the main poll planks in the largest sugar producing state – Maharashtra. While Sugarcane Price Board is entrusted with the responsibility of determining sugarcane price, the last government resigned without empowering the board. This is believed to cast shadow on October 15 election.
Narendra Modi will start his Maharashta election campaign from Mahalaxmi Race Course of Mumbai at 7pm on October 4.
Bookies are having bad time this election season because the large number of candidates along with broken alliances have made them jittery in taking calls.
All political parties in Maharashta are relying on star campaigners and the list include Babul Supriyo, Vinod Khanna, Paresh Rawal, Hema Malini, Nagma, Mohammad Azharuddin, television personality Amol Kolhe, and many more.

Date: 02-10-2014

None of the political parties will be able to get majority alone, according to India TV-CVoter tracking poll projections. BJP is expected to get 93 seats, Shiv Sena 59 seats, NCP 47 seats, Congress 40 seats and MNS 27 seats.
Modi is going to start his whirlwind tour on October 4 to campaign for for BJP candidates in Maharashtra. He will start his campaign trail in Maharashtra from Karnal. Rajnath Singh will also be campaigning for 5 days in the state.
All the major political parties (Shiv Sena, BJP, NCP, and Congress) in Maharashtra are busy in explaining the reasons of their break-up.
Union minister Kalraj Misra has hinted that they may have post poll alliance with Shiv Sena. He also said that BJP will come up as the single largest party. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has also not ruled out any post poll alliance with Shiv Sena because of the ideological similarities between the two.
MNS chief Raj Thakeray now points gun at election Commission for holding assembly election during important festivals such as Diwali and Dussehra.
In Maharashtra, BJP is tweaking their social media poll strategy. They are emphasising more on local issues rather than focusing on Narendra Modi alone.
During this Assembly election, more Muslim candidates are in fray. Compared to 19 Muslim candidates during 2009 assembly election, this time there are 45 Muslim candidates in the fray.
Bombay high court has not reversed local returning officers' cancellation of 9 important nominations. The bench consisted of justices V M Kanade and Pramod Kode.
Mayawati, BSP Chief will start her Maharashtra campaign next week.
Ramdas Athavale of Republican Party of India has replied back to Raj Thakeray's statements by calling the latter the 'biggest joker'. He also said if MNS chief becomes CM of Maharashtra, he will burn the state and he has to douse the fire.
Many dalit voters have started thinking that RPI's Ramdas Athavale has sided with BJP by deserting Shiv Sena for personal gains. They feel that Athavale has shattered Bhimshakti-Shivshakti promise.

Date: 01-10-2014

Narendra Modi will hit the campaign trail from October 4, after returning from the US trip. Two veterans of BJP – Murli Manohar Joshi and L K Advani – will also campaign for their candidates in Maharashtra. In Maharashtra Modi will address around 24 rallies. Besides top national level leaders such as Amit Shah, Sushma Swaraj, Nitin Gadkari, Rajnath Singh, and Arun Jaitley, CMs of various states such as Anandiben Patel, Manohar Parrikar, Vasundhara Raje, Raman Singh, and Shivraj Singh Chouhan will be campaigning.
After MNS chief's scathed attack, Shiv Sena supremo Uddhav Thackare asked his party's Union Minister Anant Geete to resign. As soon as PM Narendra Modi returns from the US, Geete is expected to submit his resignation letter.
This is one of those few years when opinion makers are guessing about the outcome because of the 5-cornered contest this time. Most important part of the campaign trail till now is that all the major political forces are steering away from their professed ideological paths.
Lots of rich politicians in the election fray in Maharashtra. NCP chief Sharad Pawar has an annual income of Rs. 1.89 crore and total assets amounting to Rs. 38.82 crore. Congress's Prithviraj Chavan has declared assets amounting to Rs. 13.81 crore. Some other rich netas in the state are NCP's Ajit Pawar (Rs. 38.82 crore), SP's Abu Azmi (Rs. 156.1 crore), BJP's Mangal Prabhad Lodha (Rs. 163.43 crore), INC's Narayan Rane (Rs. 72.44 crore), etc.
Shiv Sena's Uddhav Thakarey blames central leadership of BJP for break-up of 25 year old alliance.
It is full blown war now between former allies – NCP and Congress. Sonia Gandhi asked Sharad Pawar of NCP not to blame her or Rahul Gandhi for the break-up of 15 year old alliance. Former CM Prithviraj Chavan has lashed out at NCP by alleging hidden alliance of NCP with that of BJP. Pawar had earlier accused Chavan of lacking initiative during his entire tenure, except for the last one month at office.

Date: 30-09-2014

Out of the total 7646 filed nominations in Maharashtra, 6494 nominations are found to be valid for October 15 Maharashtra Assembly Elections. In Mumbai itself 67 nominations (37 in suburban Mumbai and 30 in island city) have been cancelled.
Three quarter of the candidates who filed nominations either belong to little known political parties or are independent candidates. As all the major parties are contesting solo this time, Independents can become dominant factor in government formation. During 2009, independents won 24 seats out of the 1820 contested.
In a major twist of events, a certain chunk of muslim community is contemplating to vote for BJP and Shiv Sena. Moreover, NCP's minority cell chief Habib Fakih has left the party as he was miffed with NCP leadership for not nominating minority candidates from the minority-dominated pockets of Vidarbha and Marathwada.
BJP is giving lots of importance to Maharashtra assembly election and is roping in Chief Ministers of other states to campaign for BJP candidates in Maharashtra. Some of them are Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje Scindia, Goa CM Manohar Parrikar, Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu, and Minister of Chemicals and Fertilisers Anant Kumar.
Mahesh Nandurkar of CLSA has notified investors that market could dip if BJP fares poorly during October 15 Assembly election. If bourses dip, it will be a good time to make buying calls.
BJP is not keeping any stone unturned as they have planned to employ folk artists to sing and woo voters to vote for BJP candidates. One of the renowned traditional Maharashtrian folk singers they have roped in is 'Vasudev'.

Date: 29-09-2014

After Prithviraj Chavan's resignation from CM's chair, President's rule has been imposed in Maharashtra on September 28, 2014.
M. Mallikarjun Kharge, INC leader of parliament, has slammed the Union Government's decision to impose President's rule instead of allowing Prithviraj Chavan to continue his tenure as head of the caretaker government till the formation of the new one.
Maharashtra is going to witness a 5-cornered contest during October 15 Assembly Election. A total of 7,666 candidates have filed nominations this time.
Republican Party of India, which has great support base among Dalits, has pledged support to BJP. This has led to split in Dalit vote bank. While some dalit groups have supported Congress, others have decided to contest as independent candidates.
Sulekha Kumbhare, dalit leader from Vidarbha region and former INC minister, has offered 'unconditional' support to BJP during upcoming Maharashtra Assembly election.
Referring to NCP supremo Sharad Pawar's grass root hold, experience, wisdom, and stature, Nationalist Congress Party's leader Majid Memon has referred his chief as the 'tallest leader' of Maharashtra.
After the bitter split of 25 year alliance of BJP with Shiv Sena, the former has decided to hold 300 rallies in just 2 days throughout Maharashtra.
Congress will start its Maharashtra campaign from September 30, 2014. It will be started by Prithviraj Chavan from Taljapur. While INC President Sonia Gandhi will address more than 10 rallies, Vice President Rahul Gandhi will address many rallies after that.
Raj Thakarey, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's Chief, has attacked BJP for taking away their MLA Ram Kadam, on one hand, and ditching Shiv Sena, on the other.

NCP and INC leaders who flocked to BJP have got candidature in more than dozen constituencies.
Anandiben Patel, Gujarat CM, has said that Maharastra voters need BJP because they want the same party in both state and center for achieving more good things.

Date: 28-09-2014

President's rule may be imposed in Maharashtra on September 28 as Union Cabinet has already recommended for it. October 15 Assembly election will take place under President's Rule. This got necessitated after Chavan resigned from CM's chair due to snap of INC-NCP alliance.
Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi will campaign in Haryana. They are expected to address more than 10 rallies in the state.
BJP's candidate list consists of prominent names such as Devendra Fadnavis, unit President of BJP, and Pankaja Munde, daughter of Gopinath Munde. Even after a bitter split with BJP, Shiv Sena has decided not to contest against Pankaja Munde as a tribute to her father who took a lot of pain in forming the grand alliance of six parties including SS.
Amit Shah, national President of BJP, is upbeat of winning 145 seats. He has not only roped in RSS but also key party functionaries from Goa, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat for campaign.
BJP has regarded the chances of forging an alliance with NCP as 'nearly impossible' because BJP's main poll agenda is to fight against the corruption and misrule of erstwhile Congress-NCP government.
Chirag Paswan, son of LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan, has convinced Central Parliamentary Board of the party to campaign for NDA candidates.
Pune gangster Kisan alias Baba Bodake's dream of contesting October 15 assembly election was crushed by Bombay high court as it rejected the gangster's plea to stay his conviction under MCOCA or Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act.

Date: 27-09-2014

A day after the 15 year old Congress-NCP alliance in Maharashtra came to an end, Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan resigned from his office. BJP has demanded President's rule in the state.
BJP announced candidate list for 172 seats among 288 seats for the upcoming October 15 Assembly Election of Maharashtra. After the end of Shiv Sena-BJP alliance, smaller allies such as Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana and Rashtriya Samaj Paksha have decide to stick with BJP.
Congress has released its 2^nd list of candidates for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly election. This list of 143 candidate consists names of some top leaders including Shivajirao Moghe.
Congress has forged an alliance with Samajwadi Party in Maharashtra before the upcoming election, mainly to consolidate the large percentage of Muslim votes in the state.
BJP has ruled out any possibility of post-poll alliance with Nationalist Congress Party. BJP general secretary Rajiv Pratap Rudy, who is in charge of Maharashtra BJP, denied reports that indicated possibility of BJP tying up with NCP.
BJP seems to be getting more and more dependant on Narendra Modi factor. State level leaders of the party in Maharashtra has sought time from Modi to address 20 rallies in the state.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's new agenda is to demand autonomous status for Maharashtra to meet its long term development needs. MNS Chief Raj Thackeray has also used the tagline 'He shakya ahe', which means 'It is possible'.
Mumbai police has made elaborate security arrangements especially during the process of filing nominations. Different timings for filing nominations had been given at 36 election returning offices to avoid any face-off.
NOTA or None Of The Above option has become a serious threat to all political parties in Maharashtra. 0.9 per cent of the total voters of Maharashtra or more than 4.32 Lakh voters opted for NOTA during 2014 Lok Sabha election. Still none of the parties know how to deal with it.

Last Updated on October 07, 2019