Maharashtra Assembly polls: Aaditya Thackeray gets into campaign mode as Sharad Pawar scrambles to stop departures

Political parties and leaders have stepped up efforts to arrive at winning formulas, including reach-out rallies to jumping ship, ahead of the assembly elections likely to be held next month.

The polls could see the launch of Aaditya Thackeray, president of Yuva Sena and son of Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, a first for the Thackeray clan. The 29-year-old leader is likely to contest from Worli, said sources. Aaditya gave enough hints about his turf on Thursday when he visited 21 Ganpati mandals in Worli.

With the ruling BJP and Sena holding sway in the state, the combine – which won 185 of the 288 seats in the state five years ago – is drawing several leaders from other parties to its fold. As a result, the NCP has suffered a sort of exodus in recent months.

In the latest blow to the party, its MP Udayanraje Bhosale, a descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji, will join the BJP on Saturday, said sources.

This spate of resignations has prompted NCP chief Sharad Pawar, 78, to plan a statewide tour to stem more departures.