Two alliances, 6 regions, and many fierce rivalries

Individual Dhasmana analyses regional dynamics, voter divides, and economic disparities in the regions crucial in the Assembly polls

If rival alliances in Maharashtra are to base their strategy for the Assembly elections on their performance in the Lok Sabha (LS) polls held earlier this year, the ruling Mahayuti alliance would aim to expand its dominance beyond the Konkan region, while the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) would seek to retain its hold in Mumbai, North Maharashtra, Marathwada, and Vidarbha, and strengthen its influence in other two regions.

In western Maharashtra, which accounts for one-fifth of the state's population and economy, the Opposition bloc had a slight edge in the last LS elections. This region has the highest number of Assembly seats—70 of the total 288 in the state.

The MVA secured half of the 10 LS seats in this region, while the ruling Mahayuti won four. One seat was won by an independent, Vishal Patil, who later extended support to the Congress. This area saw fierce competition between the two, a trend likely to continue in the Assembly elections. The two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) are in direct contest in over 28 per cent of the seats—20 of 70 constituencies.

In fact, the Baramati seat in the region is being contested by NCP supremo Ajit Pawar and his nephew Yugendra Pawar from NCP (Sharad Pawar). The NCP (SP) bagged three of 10 LS seats in western Maharashtra, while the NCP drew a blank.