Congress nominee withdraws from Kolhapur North, major blow to MVA ahead of Maharashtra assembly polls

This unexpected move comes after Congress Party's initial decision to nominate Rajesh Latkat, only to replace him with Madhurima, daughter-in-law of Kolhapur Congress MP Shahu Maharaj, at the last minute.

Rajesh Latkat, now running as an independent candidate, refused to withdraw from the race, prompting Shahu Maharaj to ask Madhurima to retract her nomination. The main contest is now expected to be between Latkat, a Congress rebel, and Rajesh Kshirsagar of Shiv Sena representing the Mahayuti alliance.

The situation grew tense at the Election Commission (EC) office as senior Congress leader Satej Patil tried to stop Madhurima's nomination withdrawal. Eyewitnesses said that Patil expressed his anger, shouting at Madhurima's supporters and questioning their resolve to compete, while criticizing the decision to withdraw.

This development has significant implications in the Maharashtra assembly polls. The Kolhapur North constituency is a crucial seat; Shiv Sena's Rajesh Vinayakrao Kshirsagar won in 2014, while Congress candidate Chandrakant Pandit Jadhav claimed victory in 2019. Following Jadhav's death, his wife, Jayashree Jadhav, won a bye-election but later joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena after being denied a Congress ticket.

With Madhurima's withdrawal, the contest has been thrown open, making it a closely watched race between Latkat and Kshirsagar. The outcome will be crucial for the MVA alliance's influence in the region.

The Maharashtra Assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, with counting for all 288 constituencies set for November 23. Monday, November 4, being the last day for withdrawing nominations.

In the 2019 assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, the Shiv Sena secured 56, and the Congress claimed 44. In 2014, the BJP won 122 seats, the Shiv Sena 63, and the Congress 42. (ANI)