Maharashtra’s phase 2 election campaign concluded on Wednesday, with key rivals engaging in direct attacks and aligning their speeches with their core ideologies. The BJP’s messaging exhibited a strong saffron hue, while the Congress targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies. Over 1.5 crore electors will decide the fate of 204 candidates in eight seats across western Vidarbha and Marathwada regions on Friday. Amravati district witnessed intense campaigning, with Congress’s Rahul Gandhi and BJP’s Amit Shah addressing rallies. Gandhi criticized Modi’s policies as “corporate-friendly” and detrimental to the common man, while Shah urged voters to embrace “Ram Rajya.” Stakes are high in this round of polling, as it could impact the political careers of individuals and the legacy of the Sena factions. In Nanded, former Congress CM Ashok Chavan, now with the BJP, campaigned vigorously for Prataprao Chikhalikar, his former rival, who is seeking re-election. Hingoli is witnessing a three-way contest among Sena (UBT)’s Nagesh Patil Ashtikar, Sena’s Baburao Kadam Kohalikar, and VBA’s B D Chavan. Sena had to replace its initial pick, Hemant Patil, due to protests from the local BJP unit. Another triangular fight is brewing in Parbhani, where Sena (UBT)’s Sanjay alias Bandu Jadhav is seeking re-election and faces competition from Mahayuti’s Rashtriya Samaj Paksha president Mahadev Jankar and VBA’s Panjabrao Dakh. BJP candidates Navneet Rana (Amravati) and Anup Dhotre (Akola) are fighting for political survival, as a defeat could jeopardize their careers amidst infighting within Mahayuti. In Amravati, Ranabaiter Bacchu Kadu is also contesting against Mahayuti, despite being aligned with the coalition. In Akola, Dhotre aims to uphold his father Sanjay Dhotre’s legacy as a four-time MP. Congress’s Dr Abhay Patil focused his campaign on development, while VBA’s Prakash Ambedkar targeted the BJP and Congress to secure his core vote bank. In Yavatmal-Washim and Buldhana, both Sena factions are vying for their strongest bastions in Vidarbha. Both Sena MPs from these constituencies joined the Shinde-led faction, and the campaign relied heavily on emotional appeals to voters. Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Shinde frequently used the term “traitor” to resonate with voters, as a defeat could potentially diminish their hold over Vidarbha. In Wardha, BJP candidate Ramdas Tadas denounced his daughter-in-law, Pooja, who is contesting as an independent. MVA’s Amar Kale, a three-time Congress MLA, shifted to NCP after the party secured the seat.
Maharashtra Elections: Key Rivals Clash in Final Hours of Phase 2 Campaigning
