Maharashtra Assembly Elections: Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar File Nomination Papers for November Polls

Maharashtra's political scene is heating up as key leaders file nominations for the assembly elections on November 20. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, and senior Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar have all submitted their papers. Shinde is contesting from Kopri-Pachpakhadi in Thane, while Pawar is vying for Baramati, and Wadettiwar is running for the Brahmapuri seat.

Shinde was accompanied by Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis during his nomination filing. The Shiv Sena UBT has chosen Kedar Dighe, nephew of the late Thane strongman Anand Dighe, to contest from Kopri-Pachpakhadi. Meanwhile, Ajit Pawar faces a challenge from Yugendra Pawar, the NCP SP candidate and nephew of Sharad Pawar, in Baramati.

Key Contests and Candidates

Yugendra Pawar also filed his nomination papers on the same day. While Ajit Pawar held a large rally to mark the occasion, Yugendra opted for a more subdued approach. Other notable figures who filed nominations include state forest minister and BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray's son Amit Thackeray from Mahim.

Mungantiwar is contesting from Ballarpur against Congress's Santosh Singh Rawat. In Brahmapuri, Wadettiwar will face off against BJP's Krishnalal Sahare. Former state home minister Anil Deshmukh's son Salil was expected to file his nomination from Katol but arrived late due to a rally. He plans to submit his papers on Tuesday, the final day for nominations.

Unusual Campaign Tactics

An independent candidate from Latur City added drama to the nomination process with a mock funeral procession. Lalasaheb Shaikh staged this unusual event by lying on a bullock cart while others pretended to mourn around him as he proceeded to submit his papers. This unique approach certainly caught public attention.

The deadline for withdrawing nominations is set for November 4. Voters in Maharashtra will head to the polls on November 20, with results expected on November 23. As the election date approaches, candidates are ramping up their campaigns to secure votes in this crucial state assembly election.