Lok Sabha Polls: 37 Candidates Vie For Aurangabad Seat As Shiv Sena Factions And AIMIM Lock Horns

44 candidates had submitted their nomination forms, but seven withdrew from the race on the last day of nomination withdrawal.

44 candidates had submitted their nomination forms, but seven withdrew from the race. ( Image Source :PTI )

New Delhi: The Aurangabad Lok Sabha constituency in Maharashtra is gearing up for an electoral battle, with a total of 37 candidates vying for victory. Among them, two factions of Shiv Sena and the AIMIM are expected to engage in a three-cornered contest. Earlier, 44 candidates had submitted their nomination forms, but seven withdrew from the race on the last day of nomination withdrawal, according to an election official.

Scheduled to vote on May 13 during the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections, the constituency boasts a significant electorate of 30,52,724 voters, including 16,00,169 men and 14,52,415 women, eligible to cast their ballots, reported PTI.

The upcoming electoral contest in Aurangabad marks the first election under the district's renamed identity as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The primary battleground features a showdown between various factions of the Shiv Sena, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Uddhav Thackeray's faction.

Additionally, the AIMIM adds to the competition. The Shiv Sena has positioned Maharashtra minister Sandipan Bhumre against former MP Chandrakant Khaire, representing Shiv Sena (UBT).

On the other hand, AIMIM has renominated sitting MP Imtiaz Jaleel, who notably clinched victory over Khaire in the 2019 elections. The 2019 contest witnessed a closely fought battle between the two, with Jaleel emerging victorious while Khaire contested as a candidate of the unified Shiv Sena.

High Octane Battle 

In the upcoming elections, the Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi has opted to contest independently, deviating from its previous alliance with AIMIM in 2019. Their candidate, Afsar Khan, enters the electoral fray representing the party's agenda. Meanwhile, the BSP has nominated former Congress corporator Sanjay Jagtap as its contender for the seat.

Adding to the mix is former MLA Harshavardhan Jadhav, who garnered significant support in the last elections as an Independent candidate, with a vote count of 2.5 lakh. Protests for the Maratha reservation under the OBC grouping, the state government’s decision to grant 10 % reservation to Marathas, and apprehension among OBCs over losing their share of the quota benefits are the major factors in this constituency, besides the communal divide.

Moreover, the contest is also a test of popularity given the reorganised political affiliations in view of splits in the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party.Khaire is a joint candidate of Maha Vikas Aghadi allies, namely Shiv Sena led by Thackeray, NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) and Congress.

His challenger Bhumre, who belongs to the Shinde-led Sena, is the nominee of Mahayuti which comprises the BJP and the NCP, led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

The upcoming elections significant for the AIMIM as it embarks on a prestige battle to defend its foothold in the Aurangabad constituency, which stands as one of its initial electoral victories outside Hyderabad. The party's success in retaining this seat would not only solidify its presence in Maharashtra but also serve as a testament to its expanding influence beyond its traditional stronghold.

However, AIMIM faces a challenging situation, with five of the six Assembly segments falling under the Aurangabad seat currently held by the Shinde-led Sena and BJP alliance. The only exception is Kannad, which remains under the Sena (UBT).