Maharashtra Assembly Elections: Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis files nomination, says ‘our only aim is…’

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis filed his nomination for the upcoming Assembly election on Friday afternoon.

“I express my gratitude to PM Modi, Union HM Amit Shah, party's national president JP Nadda and Union minister Nitin Gadkari for showing trust in me and given me the ticket for the sixth time. I am sure that people will bless me. With the works done by the Mahayuti govt, we will form the govt again in the state... Our only aim is - the pace that we have given to Maharashtra, it's needed that Mahayuti govt comes to power again,” said the BJP candidate from Nagpur South-West Assembly seat.

The senior politician visited Union Minister Nitin Gadkari at his residence before filing his nomination form. Both BJP leaders had then paid floral tribute to the BR Ambedkar statue at Sanvidhan Square before holding a road show till Akashvani Square in Nagpur.

“Our work speaks louder than our words. People can see the development in Nagpur -- be it Nagpur Metro Rail, Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Expressway or other development projects that have changed the face of Nagpur,” Fadnavis said.

Maharashtra assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, with the counting for all 288 assembly constituencies to be held on November 23.

The main electoral contest is between two alliances; the ruling Mahayuti alliance - comprising of the BJP along with Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) and Ajit Pawar-led NCP and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) - comprising the Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), and Congress. Both the factions have intensified their preparations as the polling dates draw near.

All three parties in the ruling alliance have released their initial candidate lists --- covering 182 seats. Meetings remain underway to resolve a deadlock for 20 to 25 contentious seats that have seen claims from all three parties.

(With inputs from agencies)