From Pawar-battle in Baramati to Gadkari's fight in Nagpur, key seats to watch out for in Maharashtra

Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra will be held in five phases on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13 and May 20, the Election Commission announced today. Counting of votes will be held on June 4.

The state has 48 Lok Sabha seats in which there will a fierce contest between the INDIA bloc and the BJP-led NDA. The biggetst and most watched out seat will be Baramati. Here are key Lok Sabha seats to watch out for in Maharashtra.



Baramati, a constituency in western Maharashtra, has traditionally supported NCP founder Sharad Pawar and his family for the past fifty years. However, the dynamics have shifted dramatically this time due to the rebellion of Sharad Pawar's nephew, Ajit Pawar, who joined the Shiv Sena-BJP government in the state as deputy chief minister. This has led to a compelling electoral contest within the influential political family, as Supriya Sule, the current three-term MP and daughter of Sharad Pawar, faces a challenge from Sunetra Pawar, Ajit Pawar's wife.

Nagpur, a constituency in Maharashtra, has been a stronghold for BJP veteran and Union minister Nitin Gadkari, who has won twice from here. It's also notable for housing the headquarters of the RSS and being the home turf of state Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. While once a Congress stronghold, Gadkari has secured significant victories in the past two elections, winning by margins exceeding two lakh votes.

Bhandara-Gondia, an eastern Maharashtra constituency, gains importance due to its former MP and current NCP working president Praful Patel, who is believed to have played a pivotal role in Ajit Pawar's defiance against Sharad Pawar. Although the BJP has won the seat four times since 1989, they have consistently chosen new candidates. The incumbent MP is Sunil Mendhe from the saffron party.

Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg, a coastal constituency, attracts close attention, especially if Union minister Narayan Rane is fielded by the BJP. Previously represented by his son Nilesh, who lost to Shiv Sena's Vinayak Raut in 2014 and 2019, the constituency has seen protests against proposed industrial projects. The Rane family expressed dissatisfaction when the BJP entrusted the coastal region's affairs to Minister Ravindra Chavan.

Bhiwandi, a constituency near Mumbai, has been won by the BJP in the last two elections, currently represented by Union minister Kapil Patil. With a significant Muslim population and a thriving powerloom industry, it remains a notable political arena.

Kalyan, another Mumbai region constituency, witnessed victories by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's son, Shrikant Shinde, in 2014 and 2019 under the undivided Shiv Sena banner. While the BJP holds three of its six assembly segments, recent tensions between the BJP and the Shiv Sena surfaced when a BJP MLA fired at a local Sena leader in Ulhasnagar.

Nanded, situated in central Maharashtra, has traditionally been a Congress stronghold, particularly for the family of former chief minister Ashok Chavan. However, in 2019, the BJP's Prataprao Patil Chikhalikar clinched victory with support from VBA-AIMIM candidates, challenging the Congress' dominance. Ashok Chavan's shift to the BJP adds significance to the electoral dynamics, impacting his standing within the party.

Dindori, a north Maharashtra constituency, saw the BJP nominate NCP defector Bharti Pawar in 2019, resulting in her victory and subsequent appointment as Union Minister of State. Known for her proximity to Devendra Fadnavis, another win would bolster her position within the BJP.

Beed, once dominated by BJP stalwart Gopinath Munde, now sees his daughter Pritam Munde as its representative. Despite facing anti-incumbency sentiment, Pritam replaces her elder sister Pankaja as the BJP's candidate amid challenges from NCP's Dhananjay Munde, further complicating the electoral landscape.

Raver, a constituency in north Maharashtra, is represented by BJP's Raksha Khadse, while her father-in-law, Eknath Khadse, has joined the Sharad Pawar-led NCP after leaving the BJP. Raksha's successive victories in 2014 and 2019 underscore her growing influence in the region.

Mumbai South, known for its affluent residents, has been under the representation of Shiv Sena's Arvind Sawant since 2014. Despite challenges from Congress' Milind Deora, Sawant secured victories in both 2014 and 2019. Deora's shift to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena sets the stage for a potential contest against BJP's assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar.

Mumbai North, considered a stronghold for the BJP, sees Union Minister Piyush Goyal as its candidate. Goyal's nomination underscores the party's confidence in retaining the seat, given his extensive political experience and contributions to key policies during the Narendra Modi-led government.

With PTI Inputs