Maharashtra polls: CM Eknath Shinde files papers from Kopri-Pachpakhadi constituency

Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde filed his nomination papers on Monday from the Kopri-Pachpakhadi Assembly constituency for the Maharashtra Assembly elections.

The CM was accompanied by union minister Ramdas Athawale, MP Shrikant Shinde, MP Naresh Mhaske, MLA Pratap Sarnaik, former MLA Ravindra Phatak, his wife Lata Shinde, daughter-in-law Vrishali Shinde and grandson Rudransh.

Notably, Tuesday is the last date for filing nominations for the Maharashtra Assembly elections.

Earlier today, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar filed his nomination papers from the Baramati Assembly seat.

Notably, Ajit Pawar's nephew and grandson of Sharad Pawar, Yugendra Pawar, is contesting from the same constituency as the NCP-SP candidate.

Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar said on Monday that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) would form the government in Maharashtra in the interest of the people.

"Our Alliance will work to resolve issues like inflation, unemployment, various questions of farmers, women, adivasis and the poor," he said, adding that: "We want to change the government in Maharashtra as there are a lot of pending issues that the people in power have failed to resolve. We will take all the issues in front of the people of Maharashtra and prepare them for change in the state."

Further criticising the Ladli Behna Yojna of the government, he said people only remembered the scheme because it was announced recently. "The government only remembered to announce these schemes in the run-up to the elections, in the last three-four months…people will not accept this and will teach them a lesson in these polls as they did in the Lok Sabha elections," he said.

Both the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the opposition MVA — comprising the Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) and Congress — have left no stone unturned to secure victory in the upcoming Assembly elections in the state.

The BJP is part of the ruling Mahayuti alliance, alongside the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) and Ajit Pawar-led NCP.

The Maharashtra Assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, with counting for all 288 constituencies set for November 23.

In the 2019 Assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, the Shiv Sena 56, and the Congress 44. In 2014, the BJP secured 122 seats, the Shiv Sena 63, and the Congress 42. (ANI)