Mumbai, July 1 -- The election for the Deputy Chairman position in the Maharashtra Legislative Council is being held today at 1 pm.

The Mahayuti is contesting against Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) MLC Sachin Ahir and the Mahavikas Aghadi (MVA) MLC J.M. Abhyankar of Shiv Sena (Thackeray faction).

Given the Mahayuti's clear majority, Sachin Ahir's victory is considered almost certain.

Eknath Shinde kept Sachin Ahir's joining the party and candidacy a closely guarded secret. However, at the last minute, Sachin Ahir's nomination was filed in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, Chandrakant Patil, and Neelam Gorhe.

Speaking after filing his nomination Ahir ...