Maharashtra polls: When candidates are pitted against namesakes...

"What's in a name" may be a universal truth propounded by William Shakespeare but it certainly does not apply to elections if a number of namesakes are in fray.

Former minister Meenakshi Patil who is the Peasants and Workers Party (PWP) candidate from Alibaug in Raigad district is in in direct contest against Madhukar Thakur of Congress.

But she is also facing three Meenakshi Patils, all independents.

Patil is Meenakshi Prabhakar Patil while the other candidates are Minakshi Patil, Minakshi Prabhakar Patil and Meenakshi Pruthviraj Patil.

Patil who lost the 2004 elections had five Meekashi Patils as independents pitted against her.

Navi Mumbai Congress President Namdeo Bhagat who is in the fray as an independent against NCP heavyweight Ganesh Naik in Belapur in Navi Mumbai also has to face two of his namesakes.

In neighbouring Airoli, Shiv Sena candidate Vijay Chougule who is contesting against Ganesh Naik's son Sandeep is also facing an independent Vijay Chougule.

Former Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) chief Ranjit Deshmukh's son Ashish who is in the fray as BJP candidate from Saoner near Nagpur against Sunil Kedar of Congress, is pitted against an independent Ashish Deshmukh.

Shiv Sena candidate Ashok Shankarrao Kale from Kopargaon who is pitted against NCP's Bipin Shankarrao Kolhe also has to fight two of his namesakes Ashok Chandrabhan Kale and Ashok Suryabhan Kale.