In a stunning blow to Uddhav Thackeray's political career, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has emerged victorious in the Maharashtra assembly elections, solidifying his claim as the leader of the "real Shiv Sena". Shinde's faction, part of the ruling Mahayuti alliance, is leading in over 200 seats, surpassing Uddhav's faction and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi. Shinde's focus on preserving the party's original ideology seems to have resonated with voters, establishing him as the rightful heir to the Shiv Sena's political legacy.
In the ongoing Maharashtra assembly elections, the son of late politician Baba Siddique, Zeeshan Siddique, is trailing in Vandre East, Mumbai while Shiv Sena's Varun Sardesai is leading by over 5,000 votes. Siddique, who had joined the Ajit Pawar-led faction last month, had accused the Maha Vikas Aghadi of deserting him and his father after the latter was shot dead by the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The bypolls to 48 assembly seats and two parliamentary constituencies in 15 different states are also being counted and results will be declared today. Stay updated with the latest news on NDTV.com and watch live updates on the same.
The much-anticipated Maharashtra Assembly Elections for 2024 kicked off on Wednesday, with all 288 constituencies heading to the polls. With a total of 4,140 candidates in the running, the real competition lies between the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and Mahayuti alliances. The MVA, composed of Shiv Sena (under Uddhav Thackeray), NCP (led by Sharad Pawar), and Congress, is going head to head with Mahayuti, which includes Shiv Sena (under Eknath Shinde), NCP (under Ajit Pawar), and BJP. Mark your calendars for key dates of the election: Gazette Notification on October 22, Last Date for Nominations on October 29, Nomination Scrutiny on October 30, Last Date for Withdrawal of Nominations on November 4, and Voting Day on November 20.
Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray has spoken out about the recent cash-for-votes controversy surrounding BJP leader Vinod Tawde, suggesting that it may be the result of an 'internal gang war' within the saffron party. Thackeray has called for action to be taken based on the evidence, and has stated that Maharashtra will take action on its own if needed. The BJP, meanwhile, has denied the allegations and has accused the opposition parties of being involved in incidents of violence leading up to the crucial by-elections.
As Maharashtra gears up for the upcoming Assembly elections, national leaders take a backseat as state leaders become the focal point of the political landscape. With marquee leaders like Eknath Shinde of Shiv Sena and Devendra Fadnavis of BJP fighting for their own dominance, the role of regional leaders becomes crucial. Amidst this, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar faces the heat while Uddhav Thackeray struggles to establish himself as the real Shiv Sena leader. The Congress also adopts a localised strategy, leaving the NCP camp to rely on the master strategist, Sharad Pawar. With multiple factors at play, the Maharashtra elections have become a highly contested battle with each of the 288 constituencies being influenced by distinct issues.
In a move that has incited criticism from the ruling Mahayuti coalition, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has pledged to cancel the controversial Dharavi redevelopment project if his Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition is re-elected in the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly election. Thackeray also promised to reclaim land given to Adani Group and issue new tenders for more inclusive and suitable housing for the residents of Dharavi, a densely populated urban slum in Mumbai. The plan, which has been in the works for over two decades, has faced numerous delays and changes, with a recent bid by Adani Realty created uproar due to its higher initial investment. Uddhav's anti-development stance has sparked criticism from his opponents.
During a rally in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray criticized former party members who switched sides and joined opposition parties. He emphasized the importance of loyalty and denounced traitors who only care about their personal gain. This statement comes after the party's recent successes in the state's elections, solidifying their position and power.
Ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly Elections, Shiv Sena released a list of 65 candidates, including Kedar Dighe, the nephew of late party leader Anand Dighe, who will challenge current Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for the Kopri-Pachpakhadi seat. The party also signaled Shinde as their top choice for the chief ministerial position in the meeting prior to the candidate announcement. The list includes many incumbent MLAs who have stayed loyal to party leader Uddhav Thackeray after the split in 2022.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde indirectly criticized former CM and Shiv Sena UBT president Uddhav Thackeray during the Shiv Sena's annual Dussehra rally. Shinde, without mentioning Thackeray's name, questioned his ability to become the state's next CM, pointing out that even his own allies don't support him. With the upcoming assembly elections approaching, Shinde's speech also touched on government schemes and projects, and vowed to continue the legacy of Balasaheb Thackeray. Meanwhile, strict immigration policies in Canada have led to a rise in enrolment in Punjab's colleges, and have also impacted the local politics in the state with several young men being elected as village heads.
A misleading video, falsely attributed to Maharashtra, has been circulating on social media, with claims attacking the state's Deputy Chief Minister. The 1.09 minute video, posted by a Shiv Sena leader, shows vehicles driving over a massive pothole, alongside a billboard featuring the politician responsible for the state's road maintenance. However, a fact check revealed that the footage is actually from China and not related to Maharashtra at all.