Maharashtra polls: Anil Deshmukh's son to square off father's namesake fielded by Ajit Pawar

In a significant development on October 31, former home minister Anil Deshmukh`s son, Salil Deshmukh, is set to contest the Assembly election from Katol near Nagpur on a Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) ticket. He will face off against Anil Shankarrao Deshmukh, whose candidacy was endorsed by the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP. This situation is complicated by the presence of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate, Charansingh Thakur, who registered early in the nomination process. The returning officer has cleared Anil Shankarrao Deshmukh`s nomination despite objections from Salil Deshmukh. Analysts suggest that the namesake’s entry could split votes in a three-way contest, as Anil Shankarrao will be using the NCP`s well-known clock symbol, which has been associated with the constituency since 1999. In contrast, Salil Deshmukh will compete under a new symbol featuring a man blowing a turra, which lacks the same recognition. Additionally, former minister Shrikant Jichkar`s son, Yajnavalkya, and his mother, Rajshree, have filed nominations as independents, although Rajshree is expected to withdraw. Former MP Subodh Mohite’s nomination has also been cleared.