Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: Key Faces To Watch Out For

Maharashtra gears up for its hotly-contested 2024 elections on November 20 assembly elections. The results will be announced on November 23, 2024, amidst an up-in-flames political landscape following  multiple splits in the Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in the recent past. The Ruling Mahayuti features BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), NCP (Ajit Pawar faction). The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) consistes of Congress, Shiv Sens (Uddhav Thackrey, UBT), NCP (Sharad Pawar). The election can prove to be decisive in many ways, with key political figures going head-to-head for key constituencies.

Who Are The Faces To Watch Out For?

Eknath Shinde

Defending his stronghold on Thane, he is face to face with Kedar Dighe of Sena (UBT). Shinde has already won three terms in the Kopri-Pachpakdi constituency.

Devendra Fadnavis

This BJP candidate is the former CM of Maharashtra, and has strong hold on Nagpur since 1997 from where he has won five elections. He is up against Congress's Praful Gudadhe. Given his long stint, he is facing anti-incumbency sentiments. 

Ajit Pawar (NCP Ajit Pawar)

The deputy CM and long-time Bramati leader is going head to head in a Pawar versus Pawar battle, against Yugendra Pawar (NCP Sharad Pawar). Supriya Sule's backing of Yugendra fuels to the fire.

Aaditya Thackrey (Sena UBT)

Thackrey's in power since 2019, and his bid for a second term is challenged by Milind Deora of Shinde Sena. Deora is a former Congress leader and Union Minister who joined Shinde Sena before 2024 Lok Sabha elections. 

Nitesh and Nilesh Rane (BJP and Shinde Sena)

The Rane family takes on Vaibhav Naik (Sena UBT) and Sandesh Parkar (Sena UBT) in Konkan region.

Zeeshan Siddique (NCP Ajit Pawar)

Zeeshan Siddiqui takes on Varun Desai, nephew of Uddhav Thackrey. Siddiqui is riding on the sympathy wave after his father's murder. 

Amit Thackrey (MNS) 

A three-way battle for the political future of Shiv Sena's legacy. A high-stakes three-way battle for the political future of the Shiv Sena’s legacy. Shinde Sena’s Sarvankar and UBT’s Sawant were already in a tight contest, but the entry of Amit Thackeray, son of Raj Thackeray, adds intensity to this crucial race.

Read More: Maharashtra Assembly Elections Result 2024 Date And Time: When Will Poll Outcome Be Declared | Republic Business