Mumbai: Political parties often capitalise on the popularity of film stars to draw crowds and sway voters. Many actors are directly associated with specific parties and appear on campaign stages, with some even designated as star campaigners. The appeal of famous actors and their iconic movie dialogues plays a crucial role in capturing voter attention. However, the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique and threats from the Bishnoi Gang to Bollywood stars like Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan have led major actors to distance themselves from election campaigns in Mumbai and across the state. As a result, there was a surge in demand for Marathi and South Indian stars at campaign rallies.

Impact of the Bishnoi Gang

In the past, Bollywood stars like Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan frequently attended rallies for political figures such as Baba Siddique, whose connections with film stars helped boost his political influence. However, following Siddique’s murder, attributed to the Bishnoi Gang, and the subsequent threats to Salman and Shah Rukh Khan, the landscape has shifted. Salman Khan’s residence has even been targeted. Meanwhile, actors like Riteish Deshmukh are actively supporting the campaign in Latur, where his brothers are contesting elections.

South Indian Stars For Specific Regions

In districts like Chandrapur and Nanded, which border Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the BJP used Telugu actor Pawan Kalyan to attract Telugu-speaking voters. Kalyan, currently Andhra Pradesh’s Deputy Chief Minister, appeared in regions like Ballarpur to support BJP candidates.

Social Media Campaigns

All parties have intensified their online campaigns, utilising social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Celebrities were creating videos endorsing candidates, which were widely circulated to maximise outreach. While actors demand higher fees for physical campaign appearances, social media endorsements are relatively less expensive, according to sources.

Fee Structure For Artists

The rising demand for celebrities has led to an increase in their fees. Marathi stars charge between Rs 50,000-5 lakh per campaign, while Bollywood stars demand higher sums. Actors from popular TV shows like Chala Hawa Yeu Dya and Maharashtrachi Hasya Jatra are particularly sought after. Depending on the event scale and location, some actors charge Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh per day, while top-tier Bollywood stars command Rs 20-35 lakh.

Conditions Imposed By Actors

Actors often set conditions for their participation, such as refraining from delivering politically inclined speeches. Some join campaigns due to personal relationships, regardless of ideological differences, but advance payment remains a nonnegotiable clause for most.

As the high-energy campaign for the Maharashtra assembly elections draws to a close on Monday, both the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) launched a newspaper advertisement war, targeting each other.

The BJP, an alliance partner of the Mahayuti along with Shiv Sena and NCP, issued a newspaper advertisement on Monday, listing incidents from the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks to the Covid kit scam and blaming the MVA for them.

The ad features newspaper reports of the 2020 murder of sadhus in Palghar and an allegation that “Uddhav Thackeray stopped the CBI probe into it on Rahul Gandhi’s order,” as well as references to the 2006 Mumbai train bombings, the 1993 Mumbai blasts and the “unhealed wounds,” bomb threats to the Ambanis’ house, corruption allegations, among others.

The caption reads, “MVA – Say no to Congress”.

Similarly, Congress-Shiv Sena (UBT)-NCP (Ajit Pawar) alliance’s advertisement listed Mahayuti’s “failures” and “corruption”.

It mentioned hit-and-run cases, crimes against women, Mahayuti’s “unfulfilled promises,” alleged corruption surrounding Shivaji’s statute, and vacant government posts, among others.

“Enough of anti-Maharashtra governance, time to remove the Bhrashtyuti alliance,” the caption reads, mocking the Mahayuti alliance by using ‘Bhrashtyuti’, with ‘Bhrasht’ meaning corruption.

Maharashtra will head to the polls on November 20. The ruling alliance is optimistic about retaining power, while the MVA aims for a strong comeback. The state has seen a high-energy campaign, with key leaders from both sides holding numerous rallies. The outcome of the election on November 23 will be crucial in determining the fate of both alliances.

Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Election 2024 is just around the corner. All eyes are on the big fight between the ruling Mahayuti, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena – Shinde) alongwith Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis (BJP), Ajit Pawar (NCP), and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) led by Sharad Pawar (NCP-Sharad Pawar) and Uddhav Thackeray (Shiv Sena-UBT). Andheri East Assembly constituency is one of the key constituencies everyone has their eyes on. Andheri East assembly constituency falls in Mumbai North West Lok Sabha constituency.

Andheri East assembly constituency is one of the 288 seats from the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly up for grabs. The constituency, designated by number 166, falls in Mumbai Suburban District. Andheri East, the general category constituency, is currently represented in Maharashtra Legislative Assembly by Shiv Sena’s Ramesh Latke.

In Maharashtra Legislative Assembly 2019 elections, Ramesh Latke defeated Independent candidate Murji Patel by 16,965 votes. Latke got 62773 votes while Patel got 45808 votes.

Ramesh Latke, has been representing the constituency since 2014.

Andheri West Legislative Assembly Constituency:

As per Election Commission of India, there are 2,88,150 voters in Andheri East constituency

Current situation in Maharashtra assembly:

Currently, the ruling disposition in Maharashtra has 202 MLAs with it. Out of these, BJP has 102 seats, NCP (Ajit Pawar) has 40, Shiv Sena (Shinde) has 38 and other parties have 24.

The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has 69 seats in its kitty. Out of these, Congress has 37, Shiv Sena (UBT) has 16, NCP (Sharad Pawar) has 12 while other parties have six seats. Fifteen seats are vacant.