Maharashtra Election 2024: CM Eknath Shinde files nomination from Kopri-Pachpakhadi assembly seat

Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde filed his nomination from the Kopri-Pachpakhadi assembly constituency in Thane for the Maharashtra Election 2024 on Monday. The voting for the 288 assemblies in Maharashtra will take place on November 20 and the results will be declared on November 23. The deadline to file nomination papers for the assembly elections closes on Tuesday.

Eknath Shinde will contest against Shiv Sena (UBT) nominee Kedar Dighe, the nephew of Anand Dighe, from his home turf. Shinde has remained undefeated in the Kopri-Pachpakhadi constituency since 2009 as Shiv Sena (undivided) candidate. In the 2019 polls, he defeated Sanjay Ghadigaonkar of the Congress by over 89,000 votes.

As Shinde filed his nomination, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, "Thane always had saffron colour, and it will be the same. The CM Eknath Shinde is filing his nomination. He will win the election with record votes, he will break his own record. Thane will be with Mahayuti."

Eknath Shinde held a roadshow before filing his nomination on Monday. He boarded a decorated vehicle modelled as a chariot, joined by hundreds of supporters who waved Sena flags and carried huge posters of the chief minister.

Shinde's chariot, draped in green and saffron scarves, was adorned with images of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, PM Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Anand Dighe. Prominent leaders from Shiv Sena and NCP, and Union minister Ramdas Athawale of RPI (A) accompanied Shinde.

The rally began from Dutt Mandir at Modella Check Naka, passing through the main streets of Thane. It took approximately two hours to reach the ITI centre where Shinde submitted his nomination papers shortly after 1.30 p.m.

Shinde also sought blessings from Yogiraj Maharaj Goswami of sant Eknath Maharaj's dynasty. The chief minister exuded confidence in significant victory, framing the electoral contest between Mahayuti and the Maha Aghadi Vikas (MVA) as a crucial choice between development and non-development.

"This is a fight between Vikas (development) and Vinash (destruction)," Shinde told reporters, highlighting the significant progress made by the state government over the past two-and-a-half years.

Hundreds of people lined the streets, showering flowers on the chariot carrying the chief minister.

In the 2019 Maharashtra 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.

In neighbouring Thane constituency, BJP MLA Sanjay Kelkar filed his nomination, leading a huge rally accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

A triangular contest is on the cards in this constituency with former MP and Uddhav Thackeray loyalist Rajan Vichare and MNS nominee Avinash Jadhav in the fray.

(With inputs from agencies)