Maharashtra Assembly Polls: Top Leaders' Futures to Be Sealed After June 4

The Lok Sabha polls' outcome will directly impact around a dozen top Maharashtra leaders. The state will go for Vidhan Sabha polls post the general elections. The 288-member Maharashtra Legislative Assembly elections are scheduled for October.

For many, the 2024 Lok Sabha polls is crucial due to the changed political scenario. The Shiv Sena and NCP splits, and Congress's stronger opposition stance have shifted dynamics. The BJP-led Maha Yuti (NDA) and Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (I.N.D.I.A) are closely contesting. Maharashtra sends 48 MPs to the Lok Sabha, second to Uttar Pradesh's 80.

The prominent leaders include BJP's Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister and key figure in the Maha Yuti alliance. Other BJP members are state unit President Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Mumbai President Ashish Shelar, state Revenue Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, new entrant Ashok Chavan, and Pankaja Munde. Congress faces challenges with state President Nana Patole, Legislature Party leader Balasaheb Thorat, Prithviraj Chavan, Naseem Khan, and Prof Varsha Gaikwad as key strategists.

The performance of Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led NCP is a concern for Fadnavis. Shinde, who rebelled against Uddhav Thackeray, became Chief Minister in June 2022. Ajit Pawar, who rebelled against Sharad Pawar, joined as Deputy Chief Minister in June 2023. Thackeray now heads Shiv Sena (UBT), and Sharad Pawar leads NCP (SP).

These elections will also affect Uddhav Thackeray, his son Aaditya Thackeray, and close aides like Sanjay Raut, Anil Desai, and Anil Parab. For Sharad Pawar, his daughter, Baramati MP Supriya Sule, and leaders like Jayant Patil and Jitendra Awhad have significant stakes. Ajit Pawar has pitted his wife Sunetra Pawar against Supriya Sule in Baramati.

The Maha Yuti has BJP contesting 28 seats, Shinde's Shiv Sena 15, Ajit Pawar four, and one seat for Rashtriya Samaj Paksha founder Mahadev Jankar. Within the MVA, Thackeray's team took 21 seats, Congress 21, and NCP (SP) 10. Shinde's core team includes his son Dr. Shrikant Shinde, Uday Samant, Deepak Kesarkar, Sandipan Bare, Sanjay Shirsat, and Naresh Mhaske.