Mumbai, September 23: Ahead of the state assembly polls scheduled to begin by October 21 in Maharashtra, the political activities have started gaining with the model code of conduct coming in force, where all the major political parties kick start their poll campaign.
BJP National President Amit Shah on Monday launched party's State Assembly poll campaign with his public talk on abrogation of Article 370 by Modi Government. He also exuded confidence in Devendra Fadnavis-led Government, stating that it has helped the state in reaching new heights of development and good governance.
Unlike 2014 Assembly polls, BJP and its old ally Shivsena is confident on contesting the elections together forming alliance, however, both the parties are yet to announce seat sharing formula. While on other side, Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party has already started its poll strategy by announcing seat sharing pact with Congress in the last week.
NCP Chief Pawar is now leading the party's poll campaign in different parts of the state with focus on issues like farm crisis, economic slowdown and unemployment. Regional parties including Raj Thackeray -led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena and Prakash Ambedkar's Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi are yet to enter in the poll battleground.
Hours after the Election Commission of India on Saturday announced the election date for Maharahtra, CM Devendra Fadnavis moved up urging the state citizens to come out in large numbers to exercise their franchise by October 21 Assembly elections, the results of which are slated to be declared by October 24.
Maharashtra has the total of 8,94,46,211 voters. In 2014, the state registered total voting percentage at 63.08%. While the term of 288 member Maharashtra assembly ends on November 9, the overall increase in the number of voters in Maharashtra compared to the 2019 Lok Sabha polls is 7,69,165.