NORTH MAHARASHTRA, MARATHWADA WILL PROVE DECISIVE FOR ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS

The Northern and Marathwada regions of Maharashtra are gearing up for a fierce political battle in Assembly elections scheduled for Wednesday, 20 November.

- TIKAM SHARMA

These two regions have 35 and 46 seats, respectively. A keen contest is expected between the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), especially focusing on the two key players, the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress. The voting outcome in these two regions will have a significant impact on Maharashtra's political landscape for the next five years.

The Northern region, with its 35 Assembly seats, poses a particularly tough challenge for the BJP compared to other parts of the state.

Although it has long been a BJP stronghold, the party now faces dual hurdles as it approaches the electioncaste tensions and farmer unrest. Comprising five districts Dhule, Nandurbar, Jalgaon, Nashik, and Ahilyanagar (formerly Malegaon) this region will play a vital role in determining the BJP's prospects of retaining power.

Earlier this year, the Lok Sabha elections served as a wake-up call for the BJP, as it lost four of the six parliamentary seats in North Maharashtra to the MVA. The opposition captured Dhule, Dindori, Nandurbar and Ahilyanagar, leaving the BJP with only Jalgaon and Raver. In the 2019 Assembly elections, the BJP had secured 13 seats in North Maharashtra-more than any other party. The NCP followed with seven seats, Shiv Sena with six, and Congress with five. Additionally, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and independent candidates won two seats each in this region.

In North Maharashtra, the consolidation of OBC votes has traditionally been a strong factor for the BJP's success. However, this election cycle presents new challenges, with farmers' issues and the growing polarization between Marathas and OBCs over reservation rights. Additionally, there is significant public unrest directed at the government.

Despite these obstacles, the BJP's organizational strength could still provide an advantage.