Mumbai, 19 November 2024

In this election, the ruling party has been using government machinery and there have been reports about supplies being sent via police vehicles. Now, it has come to light that BJP’s national leader and former Education Minister Vinod Tawde is himself distributing money. As the BJP-Shinde government face defeat, they are attempting to win elections by buying votes and using money earned through corruption. This has exposed the true face of the BJP. Nana Patole, the President of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee, has demanded that the Election Commission take strict against the Bharatiya Janata Party and Vinod Tawde in this matter.

Speaking on the matter, Nana Patole said that on November 19, 2024, a serious incident came to light where BJP’s National General Secretary and former Education Minister Vinod Tawde was caught distributing money at Hotel Vivanta in Virar. It is reported that the amount in question was Rs 5 crore. News related to the incident was also shown on various news channels. The distribution of money in Virar is an extremely serious issue. While there could be attempts to suppress this case, the Election Commission must act impartially, transparently, and firmly, without succumbing to any pressure, to demonstrate that everyone is equal under the rule of law.

It is the duty of the Election Commission to conduct Assembly elections impartially and transparently. However, looking at recent events, it is evident that action is being taken only against opposition parties, while the ruling parties are being spared. Incidents such as searching opposition leaders’ bags, denying them permission for flights and helicopter rides, and causing delays have occurred. Initially, after complaints were made, it was showcased that the bags of ruling party leaders were being searched.

Fifteen days ago, Rs 5 crore was found in a vehicle near Khed Shivapur on the Pune highway, but the police have not yet disclosed who is the owner of the money, nor has there been clarity on what happened with the case. Similarly, a large amount of cash was discovered in a hotel in Nashik, allegedly linked to the ruling party, but the police action in that case was unsatisfactory. While nothing incriminating was found in the bags of opposition leaders, cash-filled bags belonging to ruling party members have come to light.

In another incident, the vehicle of a former state Home Minister was attacked with stones, leaving him injured. Such incidents do not befit Maharashtra, the land of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Shahu Maharaj, Phule, and Ambedkar. The BJP-Shinde alliance’s attempts to win elections by any means will not be tolerated by the public, Nana Patole asserted.

Mumbai: Maharashtra Assembly Election 2024 is just around the corner and all eyes are on the big fight between the ruling Mahayuti, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena) along with Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis (BJP), Ajit Pawar (NCP); and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) led by Sharad Pawar (NCP-SP), Uddhav Thackeray (Shiv Sena-UBT) and Nana Patole (Congress).

This will be the second direct fight between the Mahayuti and MVA after the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Ruling in the capital city, Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) is what any political party wants. Constituencies like Thane, Kalyan, Dombivali, Mumbra, Bhiwandi and Navi Mumbai play a crucial role.

Battle In Dombivali

Dombivali (143) assembly constituency falls in Thane district. It was formed after the delimitation in 2008. It is part of the Kalyan Lok Sabha constituency along with five other constituencies namely, Ulhasnagar, Ambernath, Kalyan East, Kalyan Rural and Mumbra-Kalwa. The constituency has been single-handedly led by BJP’s Ravindra Chavan since its first assembly elections in 2009.

Mahayuti has nominated sitting three-term BJP MLA Ravindra Chavan from Dombivali and MVA has fielded a young face, Shiv Sena UBT’s Dipesh Mhatre. If Chavan wins this election, he will be representing the constituency for the fourth consecutive time.

Past Poll Statistics

Since its first assembly elections in Kalyan East in 2009, BJP’s Ravindra Chavan was elected as the MLA defeating MNS’ Rajesh Kadam. In 2014, Chavan defeated the undivided Shiv Sena’s Dipesh Mhatre with a margin of 46,225 votes. In 2019, Chavan defeated MNS’ Mandar Halbe with a margin of 41,311 votes.

Performance During 2024 Lok Sabha Polls

Dombivali assembly constituency is part of the Kayan Lok Sabha constituency, which was formed after delimitation in 2008. Shiv Sena’s Dr Shrikant Shinde, son of CM Eknath Shinde is the three-term MP from Kalyan. He was re-elected in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls by defeating Sena UBT’s Vaishali Darekar-Rane. From Dombivali assembly constituency, Shinde got 99,734 votes and Rane got 34,531 votes.

About Dombivali Seat

Dombivali is not a reserved seat and is allotted to General Category candidates. The total number of registered voters during the 2019 assembly elections were 3,56,082 and the voter turnout was 40.82 percent.

Mumbai: As the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Election 2024 approaches, all eyes are on key constituencies like Byculla, a key seat in Mumbai. The constituency is part of the Mumbai South Lok Sabha constituency and has been a focal point of intense political competition.

Byculla is one of the 288 seats in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly and is designated as constituency number 184. The seat falls under the general category and is located in Mumbai City District. Currently, Byculla is represented by Yamini Jadhav of Shiv Sena (Shinde faction).

In the 2024 elections, Yamini Jadhav will face a tough fight from the Shiv Sena UBT candidate Manoj Jamsutkar, making it a key battle to watch. Jadhav secured her victory in 2019 by defeating AIMIM’s Waris Pathan with a sizeable margin of over 20,023 votes, but this time, the political dynamics have shifted.

Byculla has a total of 2,58,856 registered voters, as per the Election Commission’s latest figures. With a diverse demographic composition, the seat often witnesses polarized voting patterns.

Current Political Scenario in Maharashtra

The ruling coalition, Mahayuti, led by Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena-Shinde), Devendra Fadnavis (BJP), and Ajit Pawar (NCP-Ajit Pawar), currently holds 202 seats in the assembly. Of these, BJP accounts for 102 seats, NCP (Ajit) has 40, Shiv Sena (Shinde) has 38, and smaller parties hold the remaining 22 seats.

On the other hand, the opposition alliance, Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), led by Sharad Pawar (NCP-Sharad Pawar), Uddhav Thackeray (Shiv Sena-UBT) and Nana Patole (Congress) holds 69 seats. Congress leads the MVA with 37 seats, followed by Shiv Sena (UBT) with 16 and NCP (Sharad Pawar) with 12.

Byculla is considered crucial for both alliances. For the ruling Mahayuti, retaining the seat will showcase its strength in Mumbai, while a win for MVA could indicate a shift in urban voting preferences.