WITH four candidates removing themselves from the contest for Amravati Division Teachers Constituency in the Maharashtra Legislative Council on Friday on the final day for withdrawal, 26 candidates will now battle it out in the elections. The refusal of rebel candidates to step aside has heightened concerns of both the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) over possible vote division. The revolt is more in Mahayuti compared to Mahavikas Aghadi adding to the worries of MLC Kiran Sarnaik, Shiv-Sena (Shinde faction).

 

Those who withdrew their nominations on Friday included Adv Preeti Rewane, the candidate fielded by MLA Ravi Rana’s Yuva Swabhiman Party, Sunil Rathod, Nitin Aage and Sajil Khan Khalil Khan. Adv Preeti Rewane’s withdrawal was reportedly in response to appeal made by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Industries Minister Uday Samant and Minister Sanjay Rathod. Ravi Rana is understood to have stepped aside in the interest of alliance coordination, as Yuva Swabhiman is a constituent of the Mahayuti. The move was presented as an effort to uphold alliance unity and facilitate cooperation among its partners.