Nagpur: As Maharashtra gears up for assembly elections, Vidarbha has emerged as a pivotal arena, with direct contests between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress in 35 of its 62 constituencies. Once a stronghold of the Congress, Vidarbha has increasingly leaned towards the BJP since the 2014 elections, setting up a fierce showdown in these upcoming polls.
Both parties view Vidarbha as critical, recognising its potential to influence the political landscape of the entire state. Union minister Amit Shah's recent visit underscored this importance, as he urged BJP workers to intensify efforts across Vidarbha, making it clear that the path for govt formation in Maharashtra goes through the region. The region's unique blend of rural, agrarian, and tribal communities holds significant sway in shaping Maharashtra's governance, adding a layer of complexity to these elections.
Nagpur district, home to several prominent politicians, is set to witness the most number of BJP-Congress face-offs in Vidarbha. In Nagpur's Southwest constituency, BJP heavyweight and deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis will defend his seat against Congress's Praful Gudadhe.
Other key candidates include BJP's state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule, pitted against Congress's Suresh Bhoyar in Kamptee, and Pravin Datke, BJP's former city president, challenging Congress's Bunty Shelke in Nagpur Central. Veteran forest minister Sudhir Mungantiwar will face off against Congress's Santosh Singh Rawar in Ballarpur.
Congress, too, has its big names in the fray from Vidarbha. Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Nana Patole is running against BJP's Avinash Brahmankar in Sakoli, while Congress's leader of opposition Vijay Wadettiwar takes on BJP's Krishnalal Sahare in Bramhapuri of Chandrapur district.
Former energy minister Nitin Raut will attempt to defend his Nagpur North seat against BJP's Milind Mane, while city president Vikas Thakre will take on BJP district chief Sudhakar Kohale from Nagpur West, underscoring the significance both parties place on securing their Vidarbha presence.
The split of Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has also added a twist to this election, reshaping alliances. The Shiv Sena factions — led by chief minister Eknath Shinde and Uddhav Thackeray — have fielded candidates in six Vidarbha constituencies: Buldhana city, Mehkar (Buldhana), Balapur (Akola), Daryapur (Amravati), and Digras (Yavatmal).
Daryapur is anticipated to have a "friendly fight," with both Sena factions, along with BJP and Congress rebels, in the race, while in Digras, former MPCC President Manikrao Thakre is challenging Shiv Sena's incumbent minister Sanjay Rathod along with UBT Sena's Pawan Jaiswal.
Meanwhile, NCP's factions, led by Sharad Pawar and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, will face each other across seven Vidarbha constituencies: Morshi (Amravati), Amravati city, Karanja (Washim), Arvi (Wardha), Tumsar (Bhandara), Aheri (Gadchiroli), and Pusad (Yavatmal). This split has spurred a scramble for influence, as both NCP and Shiv Sena factions are vying to capture more seats across Vidarbha.
In total, the Vidarbha Assembly polls embody a high-stakes political battle, intensified by prominent contests and splits across party lines. The results here are expected to impact Maharashtra's political dynamics significantly, making Vidarbha's outcome a barometer for the broader state election.
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