The Election Commission of India (ECI) has begun the vote counting for the Maharashtra elections. The state’s key contest is between the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, currently in power, and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), aiming for a comeback.
Maharashtra Election Result – Mahayuti Alliance:
- BJP: 149 seats
- Shiv Sena: 81 seats
- Ajit Pawar-led NCP: 59 seats
Maharashtra Election Result – MVA Alliance:
- Congress: 101 seats
- Shiv Sena (UBT): 95 seats
- NCP (Sharad Pawar faction): 86 seats
Over 2,000 independent candidates contested, and more than 150 rebel candidates appeared in constituencies across the state.
Key Candidates in Maharashtra: Both the Mahayuti and MVA alliances faced internal competition with rebel candidates running against their party’s official nominees.
To maintain order, the Mumbai police have imposed a gathering ban within a 300-meter radius of the 36 counting centers in the city.
Key Developments:
08:24 PM : JP Nadda addressed party workers, commenting on the illusion of the INDIA alliance, claiming that their efforts to divide society by caste and religion had failed. Nadda emphasized that the people of Maharashtra and Haryana have shown clear support for those who are on the right side of the political spectrum.
08:18 PM : Nadda criticized Congress, stating that the party’s failure not only weakened itself but also hurt its allies. He pointed out that this election was a reflection of the public’s verdict on Congress’s alliances and policies.
08:16 PM : In his speech, Nadda also targeted Uddhav Thackeray, claiming that Maharashtra’s verdict wasn’t just for 2024 but was a continuation of the verdict from 2019, when Modi’s leadership prevailed over Thackeray’s betrayal of the alliance.
08:13 PM : Nadda stated that those who sought to divide the nation, especially through caste and religion, were defeated in these elections, reinforcing the idea that the electorate is united on the right path.
08:11 PM : He further reiterated that the victory in Maharashtra was a strong endorsement of PM Modi’s governance, saying that the people’s verdict was a stamp of approval for Modi’s policies.
07:56 PM : Rohit Pawar, grandnephew of Sharad Pawar, won the Karjat Jamkhed seat, defeating BJP’s Prof. Ram Shankar Shinde.
07:37 PM: Devendra Fadnavis won from Nagpur South West by 39,710 votes, defeating Congress’ Prafulla Gudhade Patil.
07:08 PM: Chief Minister Eknath Shinde thanked PM Modi, Amit Shah, and other BJP leaders, acknowledging the crucial role of the central government in Maharashtra’s development.
07:00 PM : PM Modi was expected to address the BJP workers shortly after the results were declared.
06:40 PM : Congress faced significant losses in Maharashtra, marking a poor performance for the party in the state. This has raised questions about its influence within the INDIA alliance and its future in national politics.
06:28 PM: NCP leader Praful Patel indicated that the leadership issue within the Mahayuti would be decided within 1-2 days, with Ajit Pawar set to lead the NCP Legislative Party.
06:20 PM : PM Modi congratulated Eknath Shinde on the Mahayuti victory in Maharashtra.
05:57 PM : Congress questioned the reliability of the election process, with party leaders filing complaints to the Election Commission regarding alleged irregularities and BJP’s alleged “micromanagement.”
05:45 PM : In a major setback for Congress, several key leaders, including Balasaheb Thorat and Prithviraj Chavan, lost their seats.
05:31 PM: The Maharashtra assembly’s swearing-in ceremony is set to take place on Monday at Wankhede Stadium.
BJP and Mahayuti Celebrations: At the BJP headquarters, a celebratory mood prevailed, with key leaders, including Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah, joining in. Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis’s wife, Amruta Fadnavis, credited BJP’s victory to their successful policies, particularly the Ladli Behna Yojana, which resonated with voters.
PM Modi’s Acknowledgment: PM Modi expressed his pride in the NDA karyakartas (workers) for their dedication and grassroots efforts. He thanked voters across various states for their support, acknowledging that the victory was a reflection of the BJP’s pro-people agenda and governance.
