Maharashtra Election Results 2024: High-Stakes Battle Between BJP-Led Mahayuti and Maha Vikas Aghadi
New Delhi: The counting of votes for the Maharashtra Assembly elections began at 8 AM on Saturday, with the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) locked in a crucial contest for control of the state. Exit polls heavily favor the Mahayuti, giving them a substantial lead in this intense political battle.
Exit Poll Predictions
Voting for all 288 Assembly seats took place on Wednesday, with the majority mark set at 145. Exit polls predict the Mahayuti will secure approximately 155 seats, while the MVA, which includes Congress, Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena faction, and Sharad Pawar’s NCP, is projected to win around 120 seats. Smaller parties and independents are expected to claim 13 seats.
However, exit polls are not always accurate. Only one survey predicts an MVA victory, while three others remain undecided but lean toward the Mahayuti. Nine polls forecast a dominant win for the BJP-led coalition, with several projecting over 150 seats.
MVA leaders, including Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, have dismissed the predictions, pointing to past inaccuracies. Raut asserts that the MVA will secure 160-165 seats.
Voter Turnout
This year’s voter turnout was 65.1%, the highest since 2014. Both alliances consider this a positive sign, although traditionally, high voter participation is seen as a challenge for the incumbent. BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis emphasized that the increase in voter turnout reflects public support for the current government.
Race for Chief Minister
Even before the results, there is fierce competition within both alliances over the Chief Minister’s position.
In the MVA, Congress state chief Nana Patole and Shiv Sena leaders are competing for the role, with final decisions expected after the results. Within the Mahayuti, Eknath Shinde’s faction backs his continuation as Chief Minister, but the BJP seems to prefer Devendra Fadnavis for the position. Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction may also seek influence, depending on the number of seats secured.
Political Context
In 2019, the BJP and the undivided Shiv Sena won a clear majority but split over power-sharing disputes. Uddhav Thackeray subsequently formed the MVA government, which lasted nearly three years before a rebellion by Shinde realigned the Sena with the BJP.
The NCP also split, with Ajit Pawar joining the BJP-Shinde alliance. These shifts have left Maharashtra’s political landscape highly volatile, with ongoing legal battles over party identities and MLA disqualifications.
Conclusion
As the final results unfold, all eyes will be on whether the Mahayuti can maintain its lead or if the MVA will stage a surprising comeback. The outcome will have significant implications for the political dynamics of Maharashtra, one of India’s most critical states.
