Mumbai, Nov 20 (UNI) Enthusiastic voters lined the booths as polling began at 7 a.m. in all 288 Assembly constituencies of Maharashtra on Wednesday.
The by-election for the Nanded Lok Sabha constituency is also taking place simultaneously.
For the Assembly contest, over 9.7 crore voters including more than 5 crore male, 4.68 crore female and 6101 transgenders will decide the fate of 4136 candidates in 1,00,427polling stations equipped with 1,64,996 ballot units, 1,19,439 control units, and 128531 VVPAT machines for the smooth conduct of the elections.
The ruling Mahayuti – Shiv Sena (Shinde), BJP and the NCP (AP) – is engaged in a fierce contest with the opposition combine Maha Vikas Aghadi in the western state known for its thriving commerce and
vibrant culture which also includes one of the world’s largest entertainment Industry.
The Indian National Congress, Shi Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) constitute the MVA Prominent candidates in the race include Chief Minister Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena), Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis (BJP), Ajit Pawar(NCP),, Aditya Thackeray(UBT), Amit Thackeray (MNS), Dhanananay Munde(NCP) Rohit Pawar (NCP-SP),Yugendra Pawar (NCP-SP), Vijay Wadettiwar(Cong), Prithviraj Chavan (Cong) and Dilip Valse Patil (NCP-AP).
