Campaigning Concludes for Maharashtra's Local Body Elections
The high-stakes election campaign for 12 Zilla Parishads (ZPs) and 125 Panchayat Samitis (PSs) across Maharashtra officially concluded on Thursday night. This sets the stage for voting scheduled for Saturday, marking a critical phase in the state's grassroots democratic process.
Voter Base and Election Scope
A substantial electorate of 2.09 crore voters is eligible to participate in these pivotal local polls. The voter breakdown includes 1.07 crore men, 1.02 crore women, and 473 individuals registered under other categories. These elections will determine the composition of 731 electoral division seats across the 12 Zilla Parishads and 1,462 electoral college seats for the Panchayat Samitis.
It is important to note that Maharashtra has a total of 32 ZPs and 336 PSs. However, elections in 20 Zilla Parishads and 211 Panchayat Samitis have been halted. This suspension follows directions from the Supreme Court after these bodies were found to have exceeded the legally mandated 50% reservation limit.
Regions and Districts Going to Polls
The 12 Zilla Parishads heading to the polls this weekend span three key regions of Maharashtra:
- Konkan Region: Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg.
- Western Maharashtra: Pune, Satara, Sangli, Solapur, and Kolhapur.
- Marathwada Region: Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Parbhani, Dharashiv, and Latur.
The counting of votes and the declaration of results are scheduled for February 9.
Political Campaign Dynamics
The campaign trail witnessed significant political developments and adjustments. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis did not participate in the campaigning. He was originally scheduled to begin canvassing on January 28 in the Konkan division, but the plan was cancelled following the tragic death of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash on the same day. Consequently, other state ministers and district guardian ministers led the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) campaign efforts.
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) maintained a subdued campaign, with its ministers and local MLAs focusing on direct voter outreach. Notably, the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) and the NCP have formed an alliance for these elections, with many NCP (SP) candidates contesting under the NCP's clock symbol.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde campaigned extensively for his party, the Shiv Sena, and its alliance partners. On the final day of canvassing, he campaigned in Pune district's Ambegaon, Junnar, and Khed. Speaking in Junnar, Shinde announced cabinet approval for two leopard rescue centres, framing the move as a measure to protect residents. He assured voters of efforts to eliminate the leopard threat and promised multiple development initiatives for Pune's rural areas.
Ajit Pawar's Legacy and Campaign Influence
The shadow of the late Deputy CM Ajit Pawar loomed large over the campaign. The NCP released a pre-recorded video message by Ajit Pawar, filmed on January 24 at his official residence, Devgiri. In the message, he is seen appealing to voters to back party candidates, emphasizing the party's commitment to rural development—spanning agriculture, women's empowerment, and youth employment. He urged voters to choose leadership that prioritizes the growth of villages, tehsils, and districts.
"The video is genuine," stated Anand Paranjape, NCP's general secretary and chief spokesperson, confirming its authenticity.
Adding a personal dimension, NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar, nephew of the late Ajit Pawar, posted on social media platform X. He noted that Ajit Pawar died while travelling to campaign for these ZP polls and that due to the tragedy, no member of the Pawar family could actively campaign. He appealed to voters across all 12 Zilla Parishads to remember Ajit Pawar and support the candidates as a tribute to him.
