MUMBAI: Even though the candidate selection disputes have somehow been resolved, there are indications that the simmering is continuing in the NDA's Mahayuti Front. The election campaign boards and posters are missing the photo of NCP leader and deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar.

The boards put up in Ajit Pawar's strongholds of Pune and western Maharashtra, including Baramati, are filled with only Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The video advertisement prepared by the government about the 'Ladki Bahin Yojana', which provides Rs 1,500 per month to women, also does not have a picture of Ajit, who handles the finance department. There have also been hoardings in some places with only Devendra Fadnavis and Modi.

Nawab Malik controversy

It is learnt that differences of opinion over the allotment of a seat in Shivaji Nagar in Mankhurd to Nawab Malik, who was arrested by the ED on charges of land and financial dealings in connection with members of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim's gang, are said to be the reason for the problems. Nawab Malik was initially denied a ticket by the NCP following pressure from the BJP. The party changed its decision after Malik was set to file his nomination as an independent candidate.

There is a strong campaign that if the BJP wins more seats and gets a majority, the Shiv Sena (Shinde) and the NCP (Ajit) will be sidelined. That was also the basis for the disputes over the selection of candidates.

Baramati is crucial

This election is a prestige battle for Ajit Pawar, who split the NCP and joined the BJP alliance. Yogendra Pawar, son of Ajit Pawar's brother Shrinivas Pawar, is the NCP (Sharad Pawar) candidate.