A fierce political battle is brewing in Latur City, a key constituency in Maharashtra’s Marathwada region, where the Deshmukh family, long synonymous with Congress dominance, is facing significant challenges in the upcoming assembly elections. Amit Deshmukh, the three-term Congress MLA and son of former Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh is up against Archana Patil Chakurkar, a BJP candidate and the daughter-in-law of Shivraj Patil Chakurkar, a former Union Home Minister.

A clash of dynasties

Latur, a Congress stronghold, is witnessing a rare clash of dynastic politics. Amit Deshmukh, a prominent figure in the Congress and a torchbearer of his father’s legacy, has represented the constituency for three terms. His legacy, built on his father’s stature and his own tenure as Medical Education Minister in the Uddhav Thackeray-led government, has made him a key Congress leader in the region. However, Archana Patil Chakurkar is an influential Lingayat community where the Lingayat community constitutes over 20% of the electorate. Her father Shivraj Patil Chakurkar held the Latur Lok Sabha seat for seven terms till 2004, when he lost to the BJP candidate.

Vilasrao Deshmukh’s legacy

Despite the growing competition, Congress is counting on the enduring legacy of Vilasrao Deshmukh, a five-term MLA and two-term Chief Minister, who dominated the Latur region for decades. His death in 2012 left a void, but his sons Amit and Dhiraj, along with his younger brother Diliprao Deshmukh, continue to carry his political torch. Amit Deshmukh’s close association with the region’s Maratha community and his stature as a senior Congress leader have kept him in the limelight.

Polling date and results

The Latur City constituency will go to polls on November 20, along with all other seats in the state. Counting of votes for all seats will be held on November 23.