Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and BJP candidate from Nagpur South-West Assembly seat, Devendra Fadnavis on November 15 accused the opposition of doing “vote jihad” and urged voters to counter it with a “dharmyuddh” of votes.
“Vote jihad is going on in the state. Sajjad Nomani says…Vote jihad slogan has been given and you heard in the video that who is the leader of this vote jihad. I want to tell you all that if they do vote jihad, we have to do ‘dharmyuddh’ of vote. Ek hain to safe hain,” he said. He also accused some opposition parties of trying to polarise the elections to gain votes.
“We are not against any religion. We have given our scheme to all. But some parties are trying to polarise the election for votes,” he said. As the election date nears, political campaigning is gaining momentum in Maharashtra.
The opposition MVA coalition, comprising Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the Nationalist Congress Party (SCP), aims to reclaim power in the state, challenging the Mahayuti alliance, which includes Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Ajit Pawar-led NCP.
One of the most anticipated battles in these elections will unfold in Baramati, where Ajit Pawar will contest against his nephew Yugendra Pawar. Yugendra is the son of Shrinivas Pawar, Ajit Pawar’s younger brother.
Baramati also drew attention in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections when Sunetra Pawar challenged Supriya Sule, who ultimately won by a margin of 1.5 lakh votes.
The Maharashtra Assembly elections will take place on November 20, votes will be counted on November 23.
In the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, Shiv Sena secured 56, and Congress 44. In 2014, the BJP won 122 seats, Shiv Sena 63, and Congress 42.
(With inputs from ANI)
