Nitin Gadkari collapses at election rally in Maharashtra’s Yavatmal.

Nitin Gadkari, the Union Roadways Minister, recently addressed a rally in Pusad, Maharashtra. After experiencing discomfort due to the heat, he assured the public of his good health and announced his departure for Varud to attend the next meeting.

Earlier, there had been speculation about Mr. Gadkari’s political future when the BJP delayed naming him as its Nagpur Lok Sabha candidate. This delay prompted a cheeky invitation from former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, inviting Mr. Gadkari to “join us.”

However, Mr. Gadkari was eventually named in the party’s list, and in response to Mr. Thackeray’s offer, he referred to it as “immature” and “ridiculous.” In the midst of this, there is a power struggle between different political alliances in Maharashtra.

The Mahayuti alliance, consisting of the BJP, the Shinde-led Sena, and the Nationalist Congress Party breakaway unit led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, is grappling to finalize a seat-share deal before the deadline for filing nominations for the upcoming election. Currently, there are six seats yet to be allotted, and negotiations are underway between the BJP and its two state allies.

The Sena faction expresses interest in obtaining the high-profile Nashik and Thane seats, along with optimism about securing the Mumbai South seat. Looking ahead to the upcoming elections in the eastern part of Maharashtra, there are eight seats that will go to polls on April 26, including Amravati, Hingoli, Nanded, and Yavatmal-Washim.

The situation remains dynamic as political parties jostle for position in the lead up to the elections.