Maharashtra polls: BJP to fight 148 seats, Congress 103

BJP fields 148 candades in Maharashtra assembly elections, and Congress fields candidates for 103 seats

The ruling BJP is contesting 148 assembly seats in Maharashtra, the highest among half a dozen major political parties in the ruling and opposition camps, followed by the Congress which is contesting 103 seats.

Nearly 8,000 candidates, including those from major political parties in the ruling Mahyuti as well as the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), filed nominations for the 288 assembly seats in Maharashtra at the end of the process on Tuesday (October 29, 2024).

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena has fielded candidates in 80 seats, while Deputy CM Ajit Pawar's NCP has nominated 53 contestants for the November 20 polls. Five seats were given to other Mahayuti allies while no decision was taken on two segments.

In the MVA, the Congress is contesting 103 seats followed by the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) 89 and Sharad Pawar's NCP (SP) 87 seats. Six seats were given to other MVA allies, while there was no clarity on three assembly segments.

As many as 7,995 candidates have filed 10,905 nominations with the Election Commission (EC) for the polls, a statement issued by the office of the state's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) said on Tuesday (October 29, 2024).

Filing of nominations by candidates began on October 22 and the process ended on Tuesday (October 29, 2024).

The verification and scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on Wednesday (October 30, 2024) and the last date for withdrawal of candidatures is November 4 (till 3 pm).