Maharashtra Votes 2023: 4136 Candidates, Will Urban Apathy Decide?

Maharashtra Votes: 4,136 Candidates, 288 Seats, and the Question of Urban Apathy

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

Voting for the Maharashtra Assembly elections is taking place on November 20th.
4,136 candidates are contesting for 288 seats.
Urban voter apathy remains a significant challenge.
Both the ruling Mahayuti (NDA) and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (INDIA) claim they will cross the magic number of 170 seats.
Election results will be declared on November 23rd.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

The Maharashtra Assembly elections on November 20th are a high-stakes contest where every seat matters. A whopping 4,136 candidates are vying for 288 seats, with nearly half being independent candidates. Both the ruling Mahayuti (NDA) and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (INDIA) are confident of securing over 170 seats. However, beyond the political maneuvering, a crucial question looms: will urban centers overcome their history of voter apathy, or will low turnout once again shape the outcome in these key constituencies?

Maharashtra’s Political Landscape: Since the Congress’s sharp decline in 2014, no single party has managed to fill the void. Unlike states like Gujarat or Rajasthan, where elections are often straightforward contests between the BJP and Congress, Maharashtra’s fragmented politics present a different narrative.

The Challenge of Urban Voter Apathy: Cities like Mumbai, Nagpur, and Pune, with their large electorates, consistently report lower-than-average voter turnout, leaving crucial outcomes in the hands of fewer voters. In the 2019 Assembly elections, 62 out of 64 urban constituencies recorded turnouts below the state average. The Election Commission flagged a similar trend during the Lok Sabha elections. Even Mumbai struggles to cross the 50% mark consistently.

In Numbers:

Maharashtra’s 13 Assembly elections have recorded an average voter turnout of 62.2%. The highest turnout was in 1995 (71.6%), while the lowest was in 1980 (53.3%).

Major Party Performance:

The BJP is contesting 149 seats, followed by the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) with 81 and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP with 59. On the opposition side, the Congress has fielded 101 candidates, Shiv Sena (UBT) 95, and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP 86.

Smaller parties like the BSP (237 seats) and AIMIM (17 seats) also have a presence.

Significance of the Election:

For Congress, the Maharashtra Assembly elections are a make-or-break moment. The outcome will be a litmus test for the INDIA opposition bloc, with key allies Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar playing crucial roles alongside Rahul Gandhi. A strong showing could solidify the bloc’s unity.

For PM Modi, a win here would solidify the NDA’s position after a reduced Lok Sabha tally earlier this year. Maharashtra’s outcome could shape the balance of power as both sides fight for dominance in this high-stakes election.

With such a crowded field, alliances, vote splits, and independent candidates could prove decisive. The results, to be declared on November 23rd, will reveal how these dynamics play out.

Key Takeaways to Remember:

The Maharashtra Assembly elections feature 4,136 candidates contesting for 288 seats. Urban voter apathy is a significant challenge, potentially impacting the election outcome. Both NDA and INDIA are vying for victory.