The Maharashtra Assembly elections have delivered a resounding victory for the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde emerging as a dominant force in the state’s political landscape. Leading in over 204 of the 288 constituencies, the alliance appears set to retain power, while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) struggles to stay afloat with leads in just 47 seats, according to the Election Commission’s latest updates. Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction has significantly outpaced Uddhav Thackeray’s camp, with trends showing his party leading in 55 constituencies compared to Uddhav’s 20. Despite being early results, the numbers suggest that Shinde has solidified his claim as the leader of the “real Shiv Sena,” further bolstering his position as a political heavyweight. Decisive blow to Uddhav For Uddhav Thackeray, this election was more than just a political contest — it was a battle to secure his faction’s claim to the Shiv Sena’s legacy. However, Shinde’s faction has outperformed Uddhav’s Shiv Sena (UBT) with an impressive strike rate, contesting only 80 seats and gaining a substantial lead. In contrast, Uddhav’s group fielded candidates in 92 constituencies but has failed to match Shinde’s dominance. This assembly election outcome follows a similar pattern seen in the Lok Sabha polls earlier this year, where Shinde’s Sena won 7 out of 15 contested seats, outperforming Uddhav’s 9 wins from 21 constituencies. The latest trends reinforce Shinde’s position as the custodian of the Shiv Sena’s ideological core, while Uddhav’s dependence on MVA allies appears to have alienated the party’s traditional voter base. Winning the grassroots battle Throughout the campaign, Shinde cast himself as the leader supported by the “true Shiv Sainiks.” His rallies frequently underscored his faction’s connection to the Sena’s grassroots ideology, which he claimed had been diluted under Uddhav’s leadership. In a notable rally at Vaijapur, Shinde derided Uddhav’s “flaming torch” election symbol, calling it a force of division. “They call it revolutionary, but it only sets homes ablaze,” Shinde said, painting his rival as out of touch with the party’s foundational principles. Shinde’s commitment to protecting the Sena’s Hindutva roots and appealing to its traditional voter base resonated strongly with the electorate, cementing his dominance. Mahayuti’s historic performance The Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, Shinde’s Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction, is poised for a historic victory. The BJP has led the charge, dominating in over 120 constituencies — a significant improvement from its 2019 tally of 105 seats. Meanwhile, Ajit Pawar’s faction has shown marked progress, leading in 35 seats and outperforming its dismal Lok Sabha performance earlier this year, when it secured just one seat. This formidable alliance has left the opposition MVA, a coalition of Uddhav’s Shiv Sena, Congress, and Sharad Pawar’s NCP, trailing far behind. With leads in only about 70 constituencies, the MVA has struggled to mount a credible challenge. Eknath Shinde’s triumph in this election is not just a personal victory but a turning point in Maharashtra’s political narrative. By outperforming his rivals and consolidating his party’s grassroots base, Shinde has claimed the mantle of the Shiv Sena’s true heir, leaving Uddhav’s faction to confront its existential crisis. As the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance secures a historic win, Maharashtra’s political landscape has undergone a seismic shift, with Shinde firmly entrenched as a leader of both conviction and consequence.
23 November,2024 01:12 PM IST | MumbaiAmid counting of votes for Maharashtra elections 2024, Shiv Sena candidate from Andheri East Murji Patel on Saturday expressed confidence that he would win Andheri East with a margin of more than 20,000 votes, reported ANI. Patel said, "I had the darshan of Ganpati bappa just now. I prayed to Him for Mahayuti Government in Maharashtra once again. I prayed to him for his blessings...I will win Andheri East with a margin of more than 20,000 votes. In last 10 years, the people of Andheri have been hassled. No work was done," reported ANI. The Andheri East Assembly constituency went to polls on November 20. He faces tough contest from Rutuja Ramesh Latke from Shiv Sena (UBT). In the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections, Ramesh Latke won in this seat, reported ANI. Counting began at 8 am on Saturday for the 2024 Jharkhand and Maharashtra Assembly Elections, along with bypoll results from 15 states. The counting, which will decide the fate of the 288 seats in Maharashtra and 81 in Jharkhand, is expected to reveal trends in the first few hours. In Maharashtra, the polling for the Legislative Assembly was held on Wednesday, with a turnout of over 66 percent, surpassing the 61 percent recorded in the 2019 elections. The Mahayuti alliance, which includes the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, is in a tough contest with the MVA alliance consisting of Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (SP). Both alliances view the increased voter turnout as a sign of support for their respective campaigns. State Chief Electoral Officer S Chockalingam praised efforts to increase voter participation, especially in Mumbai. "The Election Commission of India gave significant focus, attention, and time to Maharashtra this time. Each strategy was conceptualised and implemented with high precision. This resulted in a significant addition to the voter list between the Parliament election and the current election. Efforts were made to ease voting, especially in places like Mumbai, where there were challenges during the Parliament elections. This time, everyone appreciated the arrangements," he said. He also thanked nearly 6 lakh officials who ensured smooth voting, reported ANI. The bypolls were held in 48 assembly seats and two Lok Sabha seats across 15 states, with notable contests in Uttar Pradesh and Wayanad, Kerala, where Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra made her electoral debut. (With inputs from ANI)
23 November,2024 01:09 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is likely to convene the Maharashtra Legislative Party meeting on November 25, with the oath-taking ceremony for the new government set to take place on November 26, as per sources. A larger gathering of the Yuti alliance is expected to be held around the same time. This development follows the impressive performance of the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance in the state elections, which has now crossed the crucial majority threshold. According to the Election Commission data released around 11 am, the alliance is currently leading in 220 seats and appears poised for a landslide victory. Celebrations have already begun at the BJP office in Mumbai, with party members and supporters jubilant over the results. Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde expressed his satisfaction with the results, saying, "As we had expected, we have got very good numbers. I thank all the voters who stood behind Mahayuti and gave this landslide victory." Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leader Naresh Mhaske credited the alliance’s success to the leadership of Eknath Shinde, stating, "The people have shown their faith in Mahayuti, and the results clearly reflect that Eknath Shinde is the one capable of leading Balasaheb Thackeray’s Shiv Sena." According to the initial results, the Mahayuti alliance is leading in 220 seats, with the BJP securing 128 seats, taking the lead in Maharashtra. The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena follows closely behind with 55 seats. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), led by Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, is leading in 35 seats, while the Rashtriya Yuva Swabhiman Party (RSHYVSWBHM) is leading in 2 seats. On the other hand, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance is trailing with a lead in just 51 seats. The Indian National Congress (INC), part of the MVA, is leading in 20 seats, with Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) in the lead in 16 seats. The NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar faction) is leading in 13 seats, while the Samajwadi Party (SP) has gained a lead in 2 seats. The All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), Jan Surajya Shakti (JSS), and Peasants and Workers Party of India (PWPI) have each secured a lead in 2 seats. Minor parties, including Swatantra Bharat Paksha (STBP), Indian Secular Largest Assembly of Maharashtra (DISECL), CPI(M), Bahujan Vikas Aaghadi (BVA), and Rajarshi Shahu Vikas Aghadi (RSVA), are leading in one seat each. Additionally, five independent candidates (IND) are leading in their respective constituencies. As celebrations continue among the Sena-BJP-NCP alliance, all eyes are now on the appointment of the new Chief Minister of Maharashtra. According to ANI, speculation is rife over who will ultimately assume the state's top post following this resounding victory.
23 November,2024 01:07 PM IST | MumbaiFrom his humble beginnings as a corporator to becoming Maharashtra’s youngest mayor and later its first BJP chief minister, Devendra Fadnavis’ political ascent has been one of steady determination. As the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance inches closer to a sweeping victory in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, PTI reports that the 54-year-old leader is poised to take up the state’s top post for the third time. In a state traditionally dominated by Maratha leaders, Fadnavis stands out as a Brahmin leader with deep ties to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He is only the second Brahmin, after Shiv Sena’s Manohar Joshi, to have held the chief ministerial position in Maharashtra. Fadnavis first gained prominence during the 2014 assembly elections, where he emerged as a clear frontrunner for the chief minister’s role, enjoying the confidence of both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP stalwart Amit Shah. Modi himself praised him as "Nagpur's gift to the country" during the campaign. Son of the late Gangadhar Fadnavis, a Jan Sangh leader and political mentor to Nitin Gadkari, Fadnavis entered politics through the Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the RSS’s student wing, in 1989. By 22, he became a corporator in Nagpur and, at 27, the city’s youngest mayor. His political journey saw him winning his first assembly election in 1999 and retaining his Nagpur South West seat in subsequent elections. Fadnavis’ clean image and sharp political acumen set him apart. During his first term as chief minister (2014–2019), he was credited with effective governance and expedited infrastructure projects, particularly in urban areas. However, his tenure also faced significant challenges, including the Maratha community’s agitation for reservations and farmer protests over loan waivers. The 2019 elections marked a turning point. After Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray broke ties with the BJP over the chief ministerial post, Fadnavis’ slogan "Mee punha yein" (I will come back) faced its biggest test. Although he formed a short-lived government with NCP leader Ajit Pawar, it collapsed within 72 hours. Subsequently, Uddhav Thackeray became chief minister, supported by the NCP and Congress. Fadnavis returned to prominence in 2022 when Eknath Shinde led a rebellion within the Shiv Sena, leading to Thackeray’s resignation. While many expected Fadnavis to reclaim the chief ministership, the BJP high command instead appointed Shinde to the role, with Fadnavis as his deputy. PTI reports that his acceptance of the role highlighted his loyalty to the party and its leadership. Despite setbacks, Fadnavis demonstrated resilience, notably playing a key role in the BJP-Shinde faction’s seat-sharing strategy after the party’s poor showing in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. PTI reports that the assembly election results now signal a resounding endorsement of his leadership and political strategy. As Maharashtra braces for another term under BJP leadership, Fadnavis’ journey underscores his adaptability and ability to navigate the state’s complex political landscape. His third tenure, if confirmed, will be watched closely for his ability to deliver on governance and manage Maharashtra’s evolving challenges. (With inputs from PTI)
23 November,2024 12:56 PM IST | MumbaiAmid the ongoing counting of votes for the Maharashtra elections 2024, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has expressed heartfelt gratitude to the voters for a decisive victory. “This is a landslide victory,” he proclaimed, thanking diverse groups from farmers to senior citizens for their support. "I want to thank the people for giving us a thumping majority and a landslide victory. This is a reflection of the hard work we have done over the past 2.5 years. I especially want to thank my beloved sisters, farmers, youths, and all the segments of society who voted for us. This mandate is a big responsibility, and we are committed to fulfilling it," he said. When asked who will be the next Chief Minister, Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde said, "Let the final results come in first. Just as we fought the elections together, all three parties will come together to discuss and decide who will take on the role of Chief Minister." Meanwhile, BJP General Secretary Vinod Tawde said that there are several key factors behind this thumping victory of Mahayuti. “There are several key factors behind this thumping victory. The BJP and Shiv Sena had a natural alliance in Maharashtra, which was broken in 2019. This angered Balasaheb Thackeray’s supporters, and now they have made their voices heard,” said Vinod Tawde. He added, “The voters in Maharashtra have given a landslide victory to the Mahayuti under the leadership of Narendra Modi, Eknath Shinde, and Devendra Fadnavis. Development works and the Ladki Behna Yojana played a significant role in our success. All our alliance partners worked hard. Eknath Shinde Ji upheld Balasaheb Thackeray’s legacy, and the people voted for him. The voters have shown their faith in us.” When asked about the Chief Minister’s post, Tawde said, “We will sit with our alliance partners and decide collectively.” The ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance appeared set to retain power in Maharashtra and was leading in 218 of the 288 assembly seats, as per figures of early trends in the counting the latest figures by the Election Commission. The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi was stumbling, with its candidates leading in just 50 seats, as per the early trends. Indicating a landslide victory for the ruling alliance, TV channels said the Mahayuti was ahead in 222 seats and MVA in 56 constituencies, as counting of votes commenced Saturday morning in the November 20 elections. As per ECI figures, in the Mahayuti, BJP candidates were leading in 128 seats, Shiv Sena in 55 and NCP in 35 seats. In the MVA, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) candidates were leading in 13 seats, Congress in 20 and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) in 17 seats. (With inputs from PTI)
23 November,2024 12:52 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentCommuters on Central Railway on Saturday complained that they were trapped inside the CSMT-bound AC slow local train. The train halted at Dadar, but its doors did not open, and the train proceeded on its onward journey during the morning rush hours. They were forced to alight at Parel. The train halted at Dadar, but its doors did not open, and the train proceeded on its onward journey during the morning rush hours. They were forced to alight at Parel. Written by- @rymastakar#mumbailocaltrain #centralrailway #mumbai #mumbainews #news pic.twitter.com/bFn5EOqmbT — Mid Day (@mid_day) November 23, 2024 "Today 8:33am #Titwala to CSMT AC local slow halted at #Dadar station. However, door were not opened... horrible experience, all Dadar passengers forced to be travel till Parel without any announcement inside the train," says commuter Mukesh Makhija, who was onboard the train. Central Railway officials confirmed the development and said the doors did not open during the Dadar halt due to a technical issue. We are taking all necessary steps to prevent such issues in the future.
23 November,2024 12:38 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Pravin Darekar on Saturday demanded that Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis be appointed as the next chief minister of the state with early trends in the counting of votes for the Maharashtra elections 2024 suggesting a win for the Mahayuti combine, reported news agency PTI. In the alliance, the party that secures the highest number of seats will be entitled to get the chief minister's post, he asserted. The ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance appeared set to retain power in the state, and was leading in 218 of the 288 assembly seats, as per the latest figures in the counting of votes by the Election Commission. The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) was stumbling, with its candidates leading in just 50 seats. As per ECI figures, in the Mahayuti, BJP candidates were leading in 128 seats, Shiv Sena in 55 and NCP in 35 seats. Talking to reporters, BJP MLC Darekar said, "Based on the current trends, I believe that the BJP will be the single largest party and Devendra Fadnavis should become the chief minister. The election was contested under his leadership, and he called for a 'dharma yuddha' in these assembly polls," reported PTI. "I cannot express my gratitude to people," he said, reported PTI. When asked about the current Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, whose party Shiv Sena is an ally of the BJP, Darekar said, "As part of the alliance, the party that secures the most seats will be entitled to the post of Chief Minister." Something is fishy, there's a big conspiracy: Sanjay Raut on poll trends suggesting Mahayuti's win Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Saturday alleged that there was a "big conspiracy" and something was "fishy" in the Maharashtra assembly poll results with trends suggesting a landslide victory for the Mahayuti combine. Talking to reporters, he said the poll results do not reflect people's mandate as the situation was very different on the ground and there was palpable anger against the government. "I see a big conspiracy in this...This is not a mandate of Marathi 'manoos' and farmers," he said. "We do not accept this as people's mandate. Something is fishy in the election results," Raut added. There was no doubt that money was used in the polls, he alleged. "How can all MLAs of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde win? How can Ajit Pawar, whose betrayal angered Maharashtra, win?" the Rajya Sabha MP asked. (With inputs from PTI)
23 November,2024 12:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra witnessed an extraordinary voter turnout in the recently concluded assembly elections, marking the highest participation in three decades. As results begin to trickle in, early trends indicate a strong lead for the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance (BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP), which has surged past the halfway mark. Of the nine exit polls conducted, five predicted a comfortable victory for the Mahayuti bloc. Meanwhile, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (NCP(SP)-Shiv Sena (UBT)-Congress) is trailing, though still hopeful for a turnaround as counting continues. The elections are widely seen as a litmus test for the fractured political landscape of Maharashtra, particularly the split within the Shiv Sena and the NCP. If the Maha Vikas Aghadi manages a win, it will face the uphill task of navigating internal differences over the chief ministerial candidate. Leading and trailing candidates Candidate Name Party Name Constituency Leading/Trailing Eknath Shinde Shiv Sena (Shinde) Kopri-Pachpakhadi Leading Nana Patole Congress Sakoli Leading Devendra Fadnavis BJP Nagpur South West Leading Aaditya Thackeray Shiv Sena (UBT) Worli Leading Milind Deora Shiv Sena (Shinde) Worli Trailing Zeeshan Siddique NCP (Ajit Pawar) Bandra East Trailing Nawab Malik NCP (Ajit Pawar) Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar Trailing Ajit Pawar NCP (Ajit Pawar) Baramati Leading Yugendra Pawar NCP (SP) Baramati Trailing Amit Thackeray MNS Mahim Trailing Sada Sarvankar Shiv Sena (Shinde) Mahim Trailing Jitendra Awhad NCP (SP) Mumbra-Kalwa Leading Abu Azmi Samajwadi Party Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar Leading Prithviraj Chavan Congress Karad South Trailing Sanjay Nirupam Shiv Sena (Shinde) Dindoshi Leading Rohit Pawar NCP (SP) Karjat Jamkhed Leading Shameebha Patil VBA Raver Trailing C Bawankule BJP Kamthi Leading Sreejaya Chavan BJP Bhokar Leading Sunil Raut Shiv Sena (UBT) Vikhroli Leading With counting underway, the focus now shifts to whether the Maha Vikas Aghadi can narrow the gap or if the Mahayuti will sail to a decisive victory. The final results will not only determine Maharashtra's next government but will also serve as a barometer for the fractured alliances and their political future.
23 November,2024 12:25 PM IST | Mumbai | Anisha ShrivastavaShiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Saturday alleged that there was a "big conspiracy" and something was "fishy" in the Maharashtra elections 2024 results with trends suggesting a landslide victory for the Mahayuti combine, reported PTI. Talking to reporters, he said the poll results do not reflect people's mandate as the situation was very different on the ground and there was palpable anger against the government. "I see a big conspiracy in this...This is not a mandate of Marathi 'manoos' and farmers," he said, reported PTI. "We do not accept this as people's mandate. Something is fishy in the election results," Raut added, reported PTI. There was no doubt that money was used in the polls, he alleged. "How can all MLAs of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde win? How can Ajit Pawar, whose betrayal angered Maharashtra, win?" the Rajya Sabha MP asked, reported PTI. The ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance appeared set to retain power in the state, and was leading in 218 of the 288 assembly seats, as per the latest figures by the Election Commission on the Maharashtra elections 2024. The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) was stumbling, with its candidates leading in just 50 seats, as per the early trends. In the ruling Mahayuti alliance, the BJP contested 149 assembly seats, Shiv Sena 81 seats, and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP fielded candidates in 59 constituencies. In the MVA combine, the Congress fielded 101 candidates, Shiv Sena (UBT) 95, and NCP (SP) put up 86 candidates. Counting of votes in the Maharashtra assembly elections began Saturday morning, with all eyes on the outcome of the battle between the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti coalition and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, which is seeking to make a comeback. The counting of votes commenced at 8 am in all the counting centres in the state, an election official said. At the counting centres, officials first began verifying and counting the postal ballots, with the counting of EVM votes scheduled to start at 8.30 am. There will be a minimum of 20 rounds of counting in each assembly segment, an official said. The final turnout in the polls, held on November 20, was 66.05 per cent, up from 61.1 per cent in 2019. (With inputs from PTI)
23 November,2024 11:55 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is poised to secure a dominant victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, leading in 218 of the 288 seats as per the latest trends shared by the Election Commission of India (ECI). Meanwhile, the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is trailing far behind, with leads in only 50 constituencies. TV channels projected a landslide win for the ruling alliance, with Mahayuti ahead in 222 constituencies and the MVA leading in 56. The counting of votes began at 8 am on Saturday, following polling on November 20, which witnessed a voter turnout of 66.05%, significantly higher than the 61.1% recorded in 2019. Mahayuti secures lead across parties As per PTI reports, the Mahayuti alliance comprises the BJP, Shiv Sena, and the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The BJP is spearheading the coalition’s performance, leading in 128 constituencies. Shiv Sena has secured leads in 55 seats, while Ajit Pawar’s NCP is ahead in 35 constituencies. On the other hand, the MVA alliance, consisting of the Congress, Sharad Pawar’s NCP (Sharad faction), and the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), is struggling to keep pace. Congress is leading in 20 seats, the UBT faction in 17, and the NCP (SP) in 13 constituencies. Key contenders show strong performances Prominent leaders of the Mahayuti alliance, including Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, are leading in their respective constituencies. In Mumbai, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray is leading in the Worli assembly seat by 495 votes, while Congress Legislature Party leader Balasaheb Thorat is trailing in Sangamner by 1,831 votes. Composition of the outgoing assembly In the outgoing assembly, the BJP held 105 seats, while the Shiv Sena had 41. The NCP had 40, and the Congress secured 45. The remaining seats were divided among smaller parties, including Shiv Sena (UBT) with 15, NCP (SP) with 12, and independents holding 13 seats. High stakes for both alliances The election is a critical contest between the ruling Mahayuti coalition and the opposition MVA, with both alliances hoping to capitalise on the increased voter turnout as a mandate for their governance. The Mahayuti alliance fielded candidates across 288 seats, with the BJP contesting 149, Shiv Sena 81, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP 59. The MVA alliance distributed its candidature with Congress contesting 101 seats, UBT Shiv Sena in 95, and Sharad Pawar’s NCP in 86. As counting progresses, the Mahayuti alliance’s performance signals a decisive mandate, while the MVA faces challenges in reclaiming its foothold. With the BJP and its allies pulling ahead in most constituencies, Maharashtra appears set to witness another term of Mahayuti governance.
23 November,2024 11:40 AM IST | MumbaiShiv Sena candidate from the Dindoshi Assembly constituency, Sanjay Nirupam on Saturday exuded confidence in his victory, saying "I am confident that I will emerge victorious." He visited the famous Shree Siddhivinayak Temple and offered prayers at the temple. Speaking to reporters here, Nirupam affirmed that Mahayuti will form the government in the state. "I have come here to seek blessings of Shree Siddhivinayak. I am confident that I will emerge victorious with his blessings. Just like me, candidates of Shiv Sena, BJP and Ajit Pawar's party will also win and Mahayuti will form govt in Maharashtra again," Nirupam said. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and candidate from Mahim Assembly constituency, Mahesh Sawant also visited the Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati temple in Mumbai and said, "...I have come here to take blessings." The counting of the votes began at 8 am on Saturday for Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly Elections, along with bypoll results from 15 states. The counting, which will decide the fate of the 288 seats in Maharashtra and 81 in Jharkhand, is expected to reveal trends in the first few hours. Earlier today, moments before the commencement of counting for the assembly polls, Shiv Sena candidate from Mumba Devi assembly constituency, Shaina NC also visited the Shree Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai and offered prayers. Expressing confidence, Shaina NC said that she believes she will be victorious because of the love she received from the people of Mumba Devi. Speaking to ANI, she said, "The way Eknath Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar have worked in these two and half years, one thing is clear that people have voted based on their work. It will be history as it will be a hat trick today.... There are a lot of people who work with negative politics and does appeasement politics but we are working with positivity. We have blessings of Maa Mumba Devi and I can say that history is going to be created... from last 15 years there is no development in the constituency... we have came to work and develop... the Chief Minister's Ladki Behen Yojana has definitely benefitted... a lot of things have to be done... I believe I will be victorious because of the love I have received from the public of Mumba Devi." In Maharashtra, the polling for the Legislative Assembly was held on Wednesday, with a turnout of over 66 per cent, surpassing the 61 per cent recorded in the 2019 elections. The Mahayuti alliance, which includes the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, is in a tough contest with the MVA alliance consisting of Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (SP). Both alliances view the increased voter turnout as a sign of support for their respective campaigns. In Maharashtra, the Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, is engaged in a fierce contest with the MVA, which includes Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (SP). Polling for the 288-member Maharashtra Legislative Assembly took place on Wednesday, recording a turnout of 66.05%, compared to nearly 61% in the 2019 assembly elections. Both Mahayuti and MVA leaders view the increased voter turnout as a positive sign for their respective alliances. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
23 November,2024 11:24 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIADVERTISEMENT
