Maharashtra Results 2024 Highlights: Mahayuti consolidated a comfortable lead over the MVA.
Maharashtra Election Results 2024 Highlights: Maharashtra voted with enthusiasm, registering a voter turnout not seen in three decades. The counting of votes elevated the Mahayuti (BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP) to power.
These elections were a test for the fractured Shiv Sena and NCP, after a split in these parties following a rebellion. Even as the Mahayuti's victory became clearer, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Ministers Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis said the parties will discuss the next chief minister.
In a largely peaceful election, a multi-crore bitcoin scam involving the names of Mr Patole and NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule started a row. Further, BJP National General Secretary Vinod Tawde was accused of a cash-for-votes scam, with the opposition alleging he distributed Rs 5 crore.
Here are the Highlights of Maharashtra Election Results 2024:
Devendra Fadnavis Meet Nitin Gadkari At His Residence In Nagpur
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and state BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule met Union minister Nitin Gadkari at the latter's residence in Nagpur on Saturday night after the Mahayuti scored a stupendous victory in elections.
Mr Fadnavis and other leaders were welcomed by Gadkari and his wife.
The BJP has won 128 seats and leading in four in the results of 280 of 288 constituencies declared so far. Shiv Sena led by CM Eknath Shinde won 56 and is ahead in one seat, while NCP bagged 40 constituencies, leading in 1.
21 Women Among 288 Winning Candidates In Maharashtra, Only 1 In Opposition
As many as 21 women candidates emerged winners in the elections to the 288-seat Maharashtra assembly on Saturday, and only one of them is from the Opposition.
The BJP accounted for the highest number of winning women candidates at 14, including ten candidates who were re-elected: Shweta Mahale (Chikli constituency), Meghana Bordikar (Jintur), Devyani Farande (Nashik central), Seema Hiray (Nashik West), Manda Mhatre (Belapur), Manisha Chaudhari (Dahisar), Vidya Thakur (Goregaon), Madhuri Misal (Parvati), Monica Rajale (Shevgaon) and Namita Mundada (Kaij).
The four new women MLAs of the BJP are Shreejaya Chavan (Bhokar), Sulabha Gaikwad (Kalyan East), Sneha Pandit (Vasai), and Anuradha Chavan (Fulambari).
Manjula Gavit (Sakri) and Sanjana Jadhav (Kannad) were elected on Shiv Sena tickets.
Sulbha Khodke (Amravati), Saroj Ahire (Deolali), Sana Malik (Anushaktinagar) and Aditi Tatkare (Shrivardhan) won NCP tickets.
Congress' Jyoti Gaikwad (Dhavari) will be the lone woman MLA on the Opposition's side.
All Sitting 15 MLAs in Nashik Retain Seat In Maharashtra Polls
All 15 sitting MLAs in Nashik district managed to retain their seats in the Maharashtra assembly polls, results of which were announced on Saturday.
The BJP and the NCP won six seats each, the Shiv Sena emerged victorious on two and AIMIM one.
Sitting BJP MLA Rahul Aher won from Chandwad, while the party's sitting MLA Dilip Borse won from Baglan.
Rahul Dhikle won from Nashik East along with his BJP colleagues Devyani Pharande from Nashik Central and Seema Hiray from Nashik West.
Sitting NCP MLA Saroj Ahire won from Deolali, while state assembly speaker Narhari Zirwal won from Dindori constituency. NCP MLA Hiraman Charoskar won Igatpuri, while sitting MLA Manikrao Kokate, also from the NCP, retained Sinnar.
Dilip Bankar of NCP won from Niphad, sitting MLA Nitin Pawar won from Kalwan, while state minister Chhagan Bhujbal emerged victorious in Yeola.
District guardian minister Dadaji Bhuse (SS) won from Malegaon Outer constituency, while Shiv Sena MLA Suhas Kande (1,38,068 votes) defeated independent candidate Sameer Bhujbal.
Sitting AIMIM MLA Mufti Mohammad Ismail Abdul Khalique won (1,09,653 votes) winning from Malegaon Central by a wafer thin margin of 162 votes.
Victory Margin For Maharashtra Congress Chief Falls To 208
Several candidates emerged victorious in the Maharashtra assembly polls by wafer thin margins, including an AIMIM candidate in Malgaon Central by 162 votes and Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole by 208 votes from Sakoli.
All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) sitting MLA Mufti Mohammad Ismail Abdul Khalique defeated Asif Shaikh Rasheed of the Indian Secular Largest Assembly of Maharashtra by 162 votes in Malegaon Central seat in Nashik district.
Patole defeated BJP's Avinash Brahmankar by 208 votes in Sakoli in Bhandara district.
The BJP's Manda Mhatre won from Belapur in Navi Mumbai by a margin of 377 votes, while Shiv Sena's Sanjay Gaikwad won from Buldhana by 841 votes.
In Karjat-Jamkhed, sitting NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar retained his seat by 1,243 votes, while state minister and NCP candidate Dilip Walse Patil won from Ambegaon constituency with a margin of 1,523 votes.
Devendra Fadnavis Wins Nagpur South West Seat, Margin Drops Compared To 2019 Polls
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis won the assembly polls from Nagpur South West seat defeating his Congress rival Prafulla Gudhade Patil by a margin of 39,710 votes. Mr Fadnavis received 129401 votes, while Patil secured 89,691 votes.
However, the BJP stalwart's victory margin reduced by 9,643 votes when compared to the 2019 polls.
He has won from the seat for the fourth time. This is Mr Fadnavis' sixth assembly poll win. In 1999 and 2004 he had won from Nagpur West.
PM Modi Live: Maharashtra is the sixth state in India to have given BJP a mandate for the third time. Earlier Goa, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh have given us such a mandate.
PM Modi Live: In the last 50 years, no party or pre-poll alliance has secured such a big win as Maharashtra's. This is the third consecutive time, that a BJP-led alliance has won in a state. This is indeed a historic win.
PM Modi Live: Today, several bypoll results have been declared too and we have also increased our Lok Sabha tally after winning one more seat. We have done well in every state and it shows that people want development I want to thank the people, especially the mothers and the farmers for the win.
I want to thank the people of Jharkhand too and we will work for its development, PM Modi said.
"We Are Here To Celebrate Another Historic Win": PM Modi
"Today, we are here to celebrate another historic win. In Maharashtra, development, rule of law, and social justice have won and lies and deceit have lost. Divisive forces, dynastic politics have lost in Maharashtra today," PM Modi said in his address.
BJP chief JP Nadda Addresses Party Workers At Headuqarters
'Modi hai toh Mumkin hai', says BJP chief JP Nadda as he welcomes PM Modi, who was flanked by Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh, on the stage.
"I Thank the people of Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and states where by-polls were held," Mr Nadda said.
Breaking: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached the BJP headquarters to join party workers to celebrate the big win in Maharashtra
Celebrations At BJP Headquarters In Delhi, PM Modi To Arrive Soon
Post-Election Result Visuals Outside Sharad Pawar's NCP Faction Office
You Will Have To Work Under D Fadnavis: Uddhav Thackeray Jabs E Shinde
Routed in the Maharashtra Assembly election, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray was asked if this result has settled the debate over who represents the 'real' Shiv Sena -- he or his estranged lieutenant and the incumbent Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
The former Chief Minister, whose government was toppled in 2022 when Mr Shinde led a rebellion that split the Sena, had a message for his former brother-in-arms. "You have to work under (Devendra) Fadnavis. First figure out which bungalow you will get," Mr Thackeray replied.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) chief also referred to the ongoing legal battle over which faction has claim to the Sena's symbol and name and lamented that the case had not reached a conclusion yet.
"Ladki Bahin Yojana Played A Major Role In Victory": Ajit Pawar After Mahayuti Wins Polls
Election Results 2024: Few Takers For NOTA As Maharashtra, Jharkhand Elections Results Come In
The "None of the Above" (NOTA) option had minimal impact in the Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly elections. According to Election Commission (EC) data, only 0.75 per cent of voters in Maharashtra and 1.32 per cent in Jharkhand chose NOTA over the listed candidates.
The voter turnout, however, was robust in both states. Maharashtra recorded a 65.02 per cent turnout in its single-phase election on November 20, while Jharkhand's turnout reached 66.65 per cent and 68.45 per cent across its two phases on November 13 and 20, respectively.
Introduced in 2013 following a Supreme Court directive, NOTA offers voters an option to reject all candidates while maintaining ballot secrecy, an improvement over the earlier Form 49-O system. Despite its availability, the feature has remained a fringe choice, with less than 2 per cent of voters consistently opting for it in recent elections.
After Maharashtra Win, Devendra Fadnavis Makes Jalebis To Celebrate
"Results Of Maharashtra Are Unexpected, We Will Analyse Them": Rahul Gandhi
"How This Result Came Is Under Question": Maha Vikas Aghadi's Aaditya Thackeray
After the Mahayuti secured a landslide majority in Maharashtra, comfortably breaching the 145 majority mark, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Uddhav Thackeray's son, Aaditya Thackeray, said the results are not according to their expectations.
He commented on the BJP's winning performance and said, "A few years back JP Nadda had said only one party will remain, it's seems like they are moving in the same direction, one party one nation."
"We Implemented Good Schemes, Opposition's Negative Campaign Helped Us": Milind Deora
"We Will Introspect On Reasons For Defeat," Says Maha Vikas Aghadi's Jitendra Awhad
'Women, Farmers, Unemployed, Poor': Eknath Shinde Credits Maharashtra Win
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that people's showered the Mahayuti with love after it worked on policies for women, farmers, unemployed and poor. "They alleged we are buying leaders, they even went to court, but failed," he said.
While attributing the win to a balance between development and welfare measures, Shinde added that people have rejected the politics of revenge and hatred. He also said the election also decided who the real Shiv Sena and NCP are.
'Why EVMs Weren't Questioned During Lok Sabha Polls': Ajit PawarDeputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar thanked all Mahayuti parties and their workers for working hard to ensure victory in Maharashtra. "Now, the responsibility on us is more. We promise to keep our feet on the ground and not take this victory granted," he said.
Responding to the opposition's allegations of manipulation of results, Mr Pawar asked why the same issue was not raised during the Lok Sabha polls.
'Development Wins': PM Modi Praises Mahayuti VictoryCongratulating the Mahayuti partners for its thumping victory in Maharashtra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured people that the alliance will continue to work for the state's progress.
For BJP, Next Stop Is DelhiWith a victory secured in Maharashtra, the BJP received a shot in the arm ahead of the Delhi Assembly polls next year, with its local leaders saying the party is now set to dethrone the AAP government in the national capital with a massive win.
The BJP announced a "Parivartan Yatra" to end the 10 year-rule of Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said the Maharashtra election results were a stamp of public approval to the "Modi magic."
The Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP has dominated the affairs in Delhi for the last one decade, registering back-to-back landslide victories in 2015 and 2020 elections. The BJP was routed both times, managing to scrape through with just three seats in 2015 and eight in 2020.
Another party functionary asserted that the signs of a "far better" performance of the BJP in the upcoming assembly polls are clear.
Sitting MLAs Yashomati Thakur, Bachchu Kadu Lose To BJP RivalsFormer minister and sitting Congress MLA Yashomati Thakur lost to her BJP rival by a margin of 7,974 votes in the Teosa assembly constituency in Amravati district.
BJP's Rajesh Wankhede bagged 99,099 votes against three-time MLA Thakur's 91,125 votes as counting ended in 23 rounds, an election official said.
In the Achalpur constituency in the district, Prahar Janshakti Party's four-time MLA Bachchu Kadu lost to BJP's Pravin Tayade by 12,131 votes. Tayade polled 78,201 votes, while Kadu managed 66,070 votes.
Shocker For Congress As Senior Leaders Stare At DefeatIn a jolt to the Congress, senior party leaders Prithviraj Chavan and Balasaheb Thorat were staring at defeat in the Karad (south) and Sangamner assembly constituencies in Maharashtra as counting entered the final stages.
In Bhor constituency, sitting Congress MLA Sangram Thopate is trailing behind NCP candidate Shankar Mandekar.
15th Maharashtra Assembly May Not Have LoPThe newly elected 15th Maharashtra Legislative Assembly may function without the Leader of Opposition (LoP).
As per the legislative rules, a party with 10 per cent of the 288 seats or 29 seats can claim the post. Accordingly, either Shiv Sena(UBT), NCP(SP) or Congress need to get 29 seats to be eligible for the post. However, the present trends show that the MVA parties may fall short.
As per the latest trends, Shiv Sena(UBT) was leading in 21 seats, Congress in 16 and NCP(SP) in 10 seats.
The Leader of Opposition's post cannot be bagged based on the combined strength of opposition parties, as per the rules. This is probably the first time since the first Assembly came into existence in the state in 1960 that there will be no LoP.
Victory Beyond Expectation: Amruta FadnavisAmruta Fadnavis, the banker and singer wife of BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, said that the Mahayuti victory in Maharashtra assembly elections was beyond expectations. "A victory till a certain level was expected, but this is a landslide victory. I am very happy," she told reporters.
Asked if she would like to see her husband back as the chief minister, Amruta said, "The party will decide, the Mahayuti will decide. The leader which everyone chooses will be good for Maharashtra."
"Everyone put forward their best. Now the next decision (on who will be CM) is up to our top leaders and the (BJP) parliamentary board," she said.
Asked about Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut's claim that the BJP-led Mahayuti's massive victory is illegal, Amruta said, "Today is a good day, why bring bad things into it."
Maharashtra election Results 2024: 4.15 PM Snapshot
Bureaucrat-Turned-Politician Siddharth Kharat Wins Maiden PollBureaucrat-turned-politician Siddharth Kharat won his maiden assembly election from Mehkar in Maharashtra's Vidarbha region, defeating a candidate of the Shiv Sena.
Kharat, who defeated Sanjay Raymulkar by 5,219 votes, was a joint secretary in the state government, when he took voluntary retirement from the post in July this year and joined the Shiv Sena (UBT) ahead of the assembly elections.
Kharat's journey began in the remote village of Tadshivani, located in the Sindkhedaraja taluka of Buldhana district, and has taken him all the way to Mantralaya, the power house of Maharashtra. Kharat has held various positions throughout his career, from a Section Officer in Mantralaya to Joint Secretary. He also served as Personal Assistant and Private Secretary to multiple ministers at both the state and Centre.
Dhananjay Munde Credits Win To Coming Together Of FamilyNCP leader and Parli candidate Dhananjay Munde said his performance from Parli assembly seat was the "power" of the Munde family coming together.
The area was the stronghold of BJP stalwart late Gopinath Munde before Dhananjay Munde walked out and joined the undivided NCP. He defeated Gopinath Munde's daughter Pankaja Munde in the 2019 Assembly polls.
However, with Dhananjay Munde opting to side with Ajit Pawar when the latter joined the Eknath Shinde government in July last year, the Munde household united under the Mahayuti banner, which comprises the NCP, the BJP as well as Shiv Sena.
Meanwhile, In Jharkhand...Hemant Soren is set to form the government in Jharkhand again as the INDIA bloc, which includes JMM and Congress, has crossed the halfway mark.
The two parties lead in 46 seats, while the JMM has won four, as per Election Commission figures. The BJP, on the other hand, is leading in 21 seats. The majority mark in the 81-member Assembly is 41.
Mahayuti Bounces Back In VidarbhaThe MahaYuti has bounced back in Vidarbha region, with its candidates leading in over 40 of the total 62 seats.
Besides playing the Hindutva card by raising the 'Batenge toh katenge' and 'Ek hain toh safe hain' slogans, the MahaYuti also pacified the miffed cotton and soybean farmers by assuring higher prices if it was re-elected.
Top BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, toured extensively, convincing voters that the double engine government is needed to increase the pace of the state's development while projecting the MVA as anti-growth. Add to this, the Mahayuti reiterated its resolve to end the Naxal menace.
On the other hand, Congress leaders including Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi addressed a few rallies in the state.
All About Devendra Fadnavis, BJP's Most Prominent Face In MaharashtraDevendra Fadnavis, whose political journey spans over two decades, served as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra from 2014 to 2019.
Devendra Gangadharrao Fadnavis was born on July 22, 1970, in Nagpur, Maharashtra, into a Brahmin family with strong political roots. His family was actively involved in social work and associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). His father, Gangadharrao Fadnavis, was a leader in the Jan Sangh and later served as a BJP legislator.
Devendra Fadnavis earned a law degree, followed by a postgraduate degree in business management, and then a diploma in project management from D.S.E. Berlin.
Bigg Boss Fame Ajaz Khan Gets Just 131 Votes In Maharashtra Assembly Polls
Former Bigg Boss contestant and actor Ajaz Khan entered into politics by contesting the Maharashtra assembly election from the Versova seat under the banner of the Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram). He, however, managed to secure just 131 votes, as per the Election Commission's latest tally.
Despite over 5.6 million Instagram followers, Mr Khan's social media popularity failed to translate into votes.
Haroon Khan is leading in the Versova constituency with 58,047 votes, while the NOTA (None of the Above) option has received 1,022 votes, nearly six times that of Mr Khan's tally.
Eknath Shinde's Grandson Celebrates Mahayuti's Win In Maharashtra Election
This Victory Shows People Are With PM Modi: Devendra Fadnavis
Maharashtra Elections 2024: "There'll Be No Dispute On Chief Minister's Face," Says Devendra Fadnavis
'Fake, Venomous Narrative Defeated': Devendra FadnavisOpposition's efforts of propagating fake narrative, and polarisation of voters based on religion foiled by masses, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told reporters as the NDA cruised smoothly to a landslide victory.
He credited the 'ek hai toh safe hai' slogan and Ladki Bahin scheme for the victory.
Election Results 2024: Mahayuti Winners
Union Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis.
Meanwhile, Union minister Nitin Gadkari credited the victory to the Mahayuti consistently prioritising development.
Election Results 20204: MNS, VBA, Smaller Parties Fail To Make ImpactRaj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena and Prakash Ambedkar's Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi failed to make an impact in the state assembly polls as trends showed the ruling Mahayuti cruising to a landslide victory.
Parties like the Samajwadi Party and All India Majlis e Ittehadul Muslimeen were in a slightly better position.
While the MNS had fielded 125 candidates, the VBA had 200 candidates in the fray. The bad news for the MNS was compounded with Amit Thackeray, son of the party chief, trailing at third place in Mahim seat in Mumbai.
The Raju Shetti-led Swabhimani Paksha, which had fielded 19 candidates, also failed to make any impact. It is known to have influence among farmers, especially in western Maharashtra.
As per trends made available on the EC website, the Samajwadi Party, Jan Surajya Shakti and CPM were leading in two seats each while the AIMIM, Rashtriya Yuva Swabhiman Party, Peasants and Workers Party and Rajashri Shahu Vikas Aghadi were leading on one seat each.
"Of Course, He Will Become CM": Devendra Fadnavis' Mother
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' mother Sarita Fadnavis said that his son has worked hard and without any doubt will become the Chief Minister. Speaking to ANI, Sarita Fadnavis said, "Of course, he will become the CM. It is a big day as my son has become a big leader in the state. He was working hard at all 24 hours."
Maharashtra Election Results: Ladki Bahin, 'Ek Hai Toh Safe Hai' - What Worked?As the Mahayuti registered seven wins and led in 214 seats, MP Shrikant Shinde credited the Ladki Bahin Yojana, Government at Your Door campaign and other Mahayuti decision in the last two years for the alliance's thumping victory.
The 'ek hain toh safe hain' (we are safe if we are united) slogan, though invited widespread controversy, did not seem to have dented the BJP-led alliance's prospects
6 Months After Lok Sabha High, Sharad Pawar's NCP Hits All-Time LowOne of Indian politics' most resilient figures, Sharad Pawar, has hinted that he will quit active politics after his Rajya Sabha term ends in 2026. If the 83-year-old goes ahead with the plan, his retirement will come after his last Maharashtra Assembly elections at the helm of his party proving to be one of the biggest blots in an otherwise stellar career.
As things stood at 1.30 pm on Saturday, the Sharad Pawar faction of the NCP was ahead in only 12 of the state's 288 seats after contesting 87 - a strike rate of 13.79%, which is the veteran leader's worst ever. What will add to this ignominy is that the party had a strike rate of 80% in the Lok Sabha polls just six months ago.
Meanwhile, In Wayanad...In her debut elections, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra secured a victory in Kerala's Wayanad with a whopping margin of almost 4 lakh.
In the bypoll held after her brother vacated the seat to retain the Raebareli Lok Sabha, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra bettered her brother's previous victory margin.
'Laut Kar Aaunga': Devendra Fadnavis' 2019 Comment In FocusDevendra Fadnavis had promised in 2019 that he will be back. And 2.5 years later he did.
"Mera paani utarta dekh mere kinare par ghar mat basa lena, main samandar hoon lautkar wapas aaunga (Seeing my water recede, do not build a house on my shores, I am the sea and will come back)," he had said in the Maharashtra Assembly five years ago after being elected Leader of Opposition.
Watch:
Maharashtra Election Results Trending In United Kingdom As BJP Crosses Majority MarkMaharashtra assembly election results were trending early on Saturday (Nov 23) in the United Kingdom as Bharatiya Janata Party-led Mahayuti crossed the halfway mark, as per the latest trends. England accounted for the majority of the search volume with Scotland not faring much behind.
Maharashtra, regarded as the financial capital of India, is the wealthiest state in terms of GDP per capita. Its GSDP for 2022-2023 was approximately Rs 2.89 lakh crore, which signifies that the poll results could have a significant impact on the state populace as well as the expatriate population in the UK.
Maharashtra Assembly Election Results: Devendra Fadnavis Seeks Blessings From MotherIn a heart-warming moment, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis talked to his mother as Maharashtra election results streamed in. Speaking in Marathi, he was heard seeking blessing from his mother.
Fadnavis has secured a comfortable lead in Nagpur South West constituency. Meanwhile, BJP has won in two seats and is leading in 125.
Maharashtra Election Results: Rebel Factions Celebrate Comfortable LeadsChief Minister Eknath Shinde, who got the top post after he split from the Uddhav Thackeray-led party and joined the side led by the BJP, thanked the women, farmers and senior citizens for the NDA's win in Maharashtra. On being asked about the contenders for the next chief minister, he said the decision will be taken when all Mahayuti parties sit together.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who leads the NCP after splitting from uncle Sharad Pawar-led faction, celebrated the "pink" victory, even as his party consolidated leads in 40 seats. The NCP(SP), meanwhile, posted its worst poll performance, leading in just 12 seats.
Victory Notes: Fadnavis Reiterates 'Ek Hai Toh Safe Hai' SloganMaharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis hailed the performance of the ruling Mahayuti in the assembly polls and credited it to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the latter's 'ek hai toh safe hai' slogan.
In a post on X , he said, "Ek Hain toh Safe hain' 'Modi hain toh Mumkin hain'. The slogan was a staple of all speeches of Modi during the campaign.
His statement came as BJP single-handedly inched towards the majority mark, with 126 leads, while the Mahayuti is headed for a landslide victory.
Maharashtra Election Results: Celebrations Erupt At Mahayuti OfficesAs the Mahayuti raced well past the majority mark and secured leads in 221 seats, celebrations erupted at the BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP offices.
Meanwhile, In Nanded...In Maharashtra's Nanded, the counting of votes cast in Lok Sabha bypolls is underway.
BJP's Santukrao Hambarde is leading over Congress' Ravindra Chavan. Incidentally, the latter is the son of late Congress MP Vasant Chavan, whose death necessitated the bypoll.
Maharashtra Election Results 2024: 11.45 AM Snapshot
'Seats Were Stolen': Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress' claimShiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut expressed concerns over the trends emerging from the counting of votes in Maharashtra for the recently held assembly elections, saying that they have done 'gadbad' to steal Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) seats.
He said that such results are being imposed because this cannot be the decision of the people of Maharashtra.
Raut further questioned the number of seats NCP and Shinde's Shiv Sena were getting, saying that the public doesn't agree with these results.
"This cannot be the public's decision. In every election seat, money-counting machines were installed. Is it possible that Shinde will get 60 seats, Ajit Pawar will get 40 seats and BJP will get 125 seats? The people of this state are not dishonest. We have their faith in the people of Maharashtra," Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said.
Temple Run: Politicians Beeline To Dadar's SiddhivinayakEven before counting began, politicians began visiting the famous Siddhivinayak temple in Prabhadevi, while also expressing confidence that they will secure victories and the coalitions they belong to will emerge with flying colours.
First, BJP leader Shaina NC visited the temple, offering prayers ahead of countring. Later Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam visited the temple. He later told reporters, "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."
Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate from Mahim Mahesh Sawant also visited the Ganesha temple to seek blessings.
Finally, Maharashtra Assembly Speaker and BJP candidate from Colaba Assembly constituency Rahul Narvekar also visited the temple. As he elads in the constituency, he exuded confidence of getting a full majority and forming a government in Maharashtra.
Maharashtra Assembly Election Results: Maratha Factor, Congress Role In OutcomeMaharashtra has seen widespread protests over the quota for Marathas, led by Manoj Jarange Patil, over the last year. While Mr Jarange Patil remained away from the poll fray, Professor Sandeep Shastri said the Maratha factor will play a role in deciding election results.
Further, political analyst Sajjan Kumar said that the Maha Vikas Aghadi's performance will be pulled down by the Congress. However, as per latest trends, Congress has the highest number of leads among the Maha Vikas Aghadi partners, with 20 seats.
One Former CM Trails In Karad, Another's Daughter LeadsFormer Maharashtra Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan is trailing in Karad South.
Another former CM Ashok Chavan's daughter Sreeja Chavan, fielded by the BJP, is leading in the Bhokar seat.
Maharashtra Election Results: BJP's Nitesh Rane Ahead By Whopping MarginBJP's Nitesh Rane, the son of senior party leader and former Union minister Narayan Rane, is ahead by a whopping margin of over 15,000 votes in Kankavli.
In September, he had stoked a controversy with his provocative speeches in which he allegedly threatened to hit Muslims, leading police to book him on Monday on charges of hurting religious sentiments. He was booked for allegedly making hate speeches in Malvani, Mankhurd and Ghatkopar areas of Mumbai earlier this year.
After the uproar, Narayan Rane, the MP from Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg in coastal Konkan, said he has reprimanded his son and told him not to drag any religion in the matter.
Maharashtra Election 2024 Live: Has Eknath Shinde Proved He Leads Real Sena? What Maharashtra Trends ShowAs the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance surges ahead in Maharashtra in early leads, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena appears to have trumped the Uddhav Thackeray-led party in the battle to prove which is the real Sena. These are, however, very early leads just two hours after counting and the numbers may swing later in the day as counting progresses.
In the Lok Sabha election earlier this year, the Shinde Sena had won seven out of the 15 seats it contested, scoring a better strike rate as compared to Team Thackeray that won nine out the 21 seats it fought on. With the Opposition's INDIA bloc scoring much better than NDA in the Lok Sabha polls, the Thackeray camp had said it had won the battle for the Sena identity. But Mr Shinde appears to have made a comeback within months.
Maharashtra Election Results 2024: A 10 AM Snapshot
Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha Election Live: Father-Daughter Trailing in Mumbai SeatsSenior NCP(SP) leader Nawab Malik is trailing in the Mankhurd seat, behind Samajwadi Party's Abu Asim Azmi and AIMIM's Ateeque ahmad Khan.
His daughter Sana Malik, who was fielded by the rival NCP, is trailing in Anushakti Nagar, where NCP(SP) leader and actor Swara Bhasker's husband Fahad Ahmad is leading.
Assembly Election Results 2024 Live: Thackeray Cousins In The LeadThough from opposing sides, the two Thackeray cousins - Amit and Aaditya - are leading in their respective constituencies.
While Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Aaditya Thackeray has left behind Shiv Sena's Milind Deora in the crucial Worli constituency by around 400 votes.
Meanwhile, Amit Thackeray, in his electoral debut, raced ahead of Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Mahesh Sawant.
Shiv Sena Candidates: Will Win Andheri East With Margin Of Over 20,000 Votes: Shiv Sena's Murji PatelShiv Sena candidate from Andheri East Murji Patel expressed confidence that he would win Andheri East with a margin of more than 20,000 votes.
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."
He faces contest from Rutuja Ramesh Latke from Shiv Sena (UBT).
Islampur Assembly Seat: NCP(SP)'s Jayant Patil Leads From IslampurMaharashtra NCP (SP) president Jayant Patil is leading from Islampur Assembly seat by 691 votes at the end of first round, Election Commission officials said. He is ahead of NCP's Nishikant Bhosale-Patil.
Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole is leading by 344 votes from Sakoli assembly seat.
Maharashtra Election Results: No Victory Processions Allowed In Chhatrapati SambhajinagarThe district authorities in Maharashtra's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar have banned victory processions on Saturday when the results of the state assembly elections will be declared.
District collector Dilip Swami held a meeting with top police officials on Friday, a day before the counting of votes.
In a video message released after the meeting, Swami said, "I have spoken to the top police officials from the city as well as rural parts of the district. When the results come out, the situation turns a little tense. So in order to avoid law and order issues, we are not going to allow any victory procession on the result day." "Sometimes, party workers come together and sometimes their coming together turns into a procession. We are not going to allow that also. Later, once everything is peaceful, we will allow the processions. We have issued prohibitory orders accordingly," he said.
Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha Election Live: MVA Collects Letters Of Support From Over 160 Candidates To Form GovernmentThe opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in Maharashtra has collected letters of support from more than 160 of its candidates and some independents, pledging their backing for the alliance in forming a government in the state if voted to power.
According to the sources who spoke to PTI, it is a normal practice. Apart from the MVA candidates, some independents and rebels who may win the elections have also been approached, they said.
The Congress had fielded 101 candidates, Shiv Sena (UBT) 95, and NCP (SP) put up 86 nominees in the elections.
Election Results 2024 Live Updates: Nephew Trails Uncle In BaramatiNCP(SP) candidate Yugendra Pawar trailed behind uncle and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in Baramati.
This comes even as the BJP-led Mahayuti raced past the halfway mark, securing leads in 153 seats, as of 9.24 am. The Maha Vikas Aghadi, meanwhile, leads in 86 constituencies, while other leads in nine seats.
Don't Leave Counting Centres Till Victory Certificate In Hand: NCP(SP)'s Rohit PawarNCP(SP)'s Rohit Pawar advised candidates to check details like polling start and end time, total voters, polling done and registration number of the machine on the screen after starting the machine as per the registration card and 17C form. He advised candidates to remain in the counting center until the last vote is counted and the victory certificate is obtained.
Meanwhile, here are visuals from a counting centre in Baramati where NCP chief Ajit Pawar is pitted against nephew Yugendra Pawar:
Maharashtra Election Results: NDA Secures Leads In 90 Seats, BJP Begins CelebrationsAs of 8.55 am, the BJP-led Mahayuti gained leads in 90 seats, leaving behind the Maha Vikas Aghadi with 50 leads.
Preparation of jalebis began at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi as the party also secured a comfortable lead in Jharkhand.
Maharashtra Assembly Election Results 2024: Of 90 Seats, Maha Vikas Aghadi Ahead In Just 17As early leads trickled in, the BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP coalition secured a lead in 68 seats, as opposed to the Maha Vikas Aghadi's 17 leads. Smaller parties and Independents took the lead in five seats.
Did the Mahayuti's development and Ladki Bahin pitch pay off?
Maharashtra Results 2024: Poster Show Uddhav Thackeray As CMA poster surfaced outside Uddhav Thackeray's family residence Matoshree in Bandra East, showing the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief as the next Maharashtra chief minister.
Maharashtra Election Live Updates: Shiv Sena's Shaina NC Visits Siddhivinayak TempleBefore commencement of counting for the Assembly polls, Shiv Sena candidate from Mumba Devi assembly constituency Shaina NC visited Shree Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai and offered prayers.
The Shiv Sena leader hailed CM Eknath Shinde and Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar and said that the way they have worked in these two and half years, one thing is clear that people have voted based on their work. Shaina NC emphasized that the "cluster development and housing" is the biggest issue for people in Mumbadevi.
Shaina NC, a former BJP spokesperson, joined Shiv Sena after the Eknath Shinde-led party fielded her from Mumbadevi. She is contesting against incumbent Congress MLA Amin Patel, who has represented the Mumbadevi constituency since 2009.
BJP Decimated Democracy For Power: Saamana EditorialIn an editorial in its mouthpiece Saaman, Shiv Sena (UBT) said the party will "beat the forces creating hindrances and win the elections in Maharashtra".
"The BJP tried everything to come in power, they decimated democracy too. The Mahayuti was selling Maharashtra," the editorial read.
It further alleged that senior BJP leader ensured favourable exit polls results so that smaller parties/independents sway towards Mahayuti.
Maharashtra Assembly Election Result 2024: Constituency SnapshotGhatkopar West Vote Counting Center
Rounds: 21
Postal Ballots: 3 Tables
Candidates
BJP: Ram Kadam
Shiv Sena (UBT): Sanjay Bhalerao
MNS: Ganesh Chukkal
Election 2024 Results: Why These Polls MatterNot only are the Maharashtra Assembly elections a matter of prestige for the rival Mahayuti and Maha Vikas Aghadi coalitions, it is also the last major political showdown of 2024. It will test the fates of the fractured NCP and Shiv Sena.
The polls will also serve as a precursor and litmus test for the long-due Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation polls. For both Shiv Sena factions, winning more seats, especially, in Mumbai is crucial as it will play a major role during the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation election in establishing its control.
Currently, India's richest body (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) is under the administrator's rule since over two years and it is expected that the elections will be held after the new government takes over.
Maharashtra Election Results 2024: Early Leads Show Mahayuti LeadingAs per early leads, the BJP-led Mahayuti is leading in 16 seats, while the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi is leading in six seats.
Here is how the numbers were stacked in the last elections:
Opinion | Travel Diaries: The Hyper-Local Elements Stirring The Maharashtra PotBoth major coalitions have unveiled their manifestos. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has introduced the "Batenge to Katenge" slogan and its refined version, "Ek Hai to Safe Hai", while the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is relying on its familiar caste census strategy, promising to lift the 50% reservation cap.
Meanwhile, rebel candidates are flexing their muscles, aiming to disrupt both sides in this fierce contest. In a last-minute move to attract farmers facing agricultural distress, the MVA has promised a Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 7,000 per quintal for soybean.
After travelling across all six regions of Maharashtra, it remains difficult to determine which side holds the upper hand. The election has evolved into a hyper-local contest.
Assembly Election Results 2024 Live: Cash For Votes Scam Hits BJPA regional party has accused BJP leaders, including general secretary and former minister Vinod Tawde, of distributing cash at a hotel in Virar in Palghar district.
The Bahujan Vikas Aghadi alleged that BJP candidate from Nalasopara Rajan Naik was distributing cash, allegedly to influence voters, in the presence of Mr Tawde.
Kshitij Thakur, sitting Bahujan Vikas Aghadi MLA , reached the hotel with his supporters and high drama followed. The Bahujan Vikas Aghadi supporters gheraoed Mr Tawde and raised slogans. They claimed that they found envelopes with cash and diaries at the meeting venue.
Bitcoin Row: BJP Alleges Poll Scam, Supriya Sule ReactsThe Maharashtra Congress and ally Sharad Pawar's faction of Nationalist Congress Party were hit by corruption allegations. A retired police officer, Ravindranath Patil, accused Mr Pawar's daughter Supriya Sule and state Congress chief Nana Patole of being involved in a fraud case involving cryptocurrency that dates back to 2018.
The funds, he alleged, have been used for campaigning in the assembly election. Supriya Sule has denied any wrongdoing and called it the "familiar tactics of spreading false information to manipulate the righteous voters" the night before election.
"An inquiry will be done and the truth will come in front of the people," Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who is contesting the Assembly polls from Baramati, said.
Ms Sule replied, "He is Ajit Pawar, he can say anything. Rama Krishna Hari."
Maharashtra Assembly Election Results 2024: Exit Polls DividedMost exit polls also predicted that Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) would put up a strong show in polls but is unlikely to cross the majority mark in the 288-member assembly.
According to the P-MARQ exit poll, the Mahayuti alliance would win 137-157 seats whereas the Maha Vikas Aghadi would get 126-147 seats and others 2-8 seats.
Chanakya Strategies projected that Mahayuti will win 152-150 seats, MVA 130-138 seats, and others 6-8 seats.
Maharashtra Assembly Elections: What Happened In 2019?The 2019 election resulted in a thumping win for the BJP and the undivided Sena; the saffron party won 105 seats (down 17 from 2014) and its ally 56 (down seven). The NCP won 54 seats and the Congress bagged 44 seats.
However, two long-time allies fell out in the following days after they failed to agree a power-sharing deal. Mr Thackeray then led his Sena into a surprise alliance with the Congress and Sharad Pawar's NCP (then also undivided) to shut out a furious BJP.
Eventually, an internal rebellion led by Sena leader Eknath Shinde that ousted the MVA government. The NCP split a year later in a near-identical process that saw Ajit Pawar and lawmakers loyal to him joining the BJP-Shinde Sena, and he then became a Deputy Chief Minister.
Since then, Maharashtra politics has been roiled in controversy that extended to the Supreme Court, which heard petitions and cross-petitions on disqualification of MLAs and, in the build-up to this election, pleas on which Sena and NCP faction is the 'real' one.
Maharashtra Assembly Election Results 2024: Nine Exit Polls Predict Dominant Mahayuti PerformanceNine exit polls that predict victory for the Mahayuti all expect it to be a dominant performance.
In fact, of those nine, Axis-My India, Peoples Pulse, Poll Diary, and Today's Chanakya have each given the BJP-led alliance a minimum of 175 seats. Chanakya Strategies, Matrize, and Times Now-JVC also expect victory for the BJP's coalition, with at least 150 seats.
Across the aisle, only Electoral Edge expects the Congress' alliance to win and, even then, by five seats only, with 20 seats from smaller parties and independents in play for the BJP.
The Dainik Bhaskar, Lokshahi Marathi-Rudra, and P-Marq exit polls are on the fence, although the latter favours the Mahayuti with an upper prediction of 157 and the former the MVA with 150.
Maharashtra Election Results Live: No Instructions To Bring Maharashtra MLAs To Karnataka: DK ShivakumarKarnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar clarified that there are no instructions to bring MLAs from Maharashtra to Karnataka, hours after Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Sanjay Raut said newly-elected MLAs will be huddled in Mumbai to avoid poaching.
Mr Shivakumar, when asked if legislators would be brought together in case of a hung assembly in the Maharashtra and Jharkhand elections tomorrow, said, "No AICC leader has contacted me regarding this matter. If they do, that's a different issue. As of now, there are no such plans. Our only choice now is to observe the election results that will be reported in the media."
Maharashtra Assembly Election Results 2024: CM Opponent Alleges EVM Storage IrregularitiesShiv Sena (UBT) candidate Kedar Dighe, who contested against Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in the Kopri-Pachpakhadi assembly seat in Thane, alleged irregularities in the post voting process, including storing EVMs in the observation room instead of the strong room.
Moreover, the observation room does not have CCTV coverage, he further claimed and showed some videos to reporters to buttress his allegations. "The envelopes containing postal ballots are not sealed. The Election Commission must look into these irregularities and take action against the personnel. It should order repoll in the seat," Dighe said.
Maharashtra Election Results 2024: Who Is In The Fray?Mahayuti comprising BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP and Maha Vikas Aghadi consisting of Congress, Shiv Sena UBT and NCP-SP are engaged in a prestige battle.
In addition, the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, Maharashtra Swarajya Paksha and other smaller parties have also fielded their nominees making it a multi-party contest.
There are a total of 4,136 candidates, comprising 3,771 men, 363 women and two others, in the fray.
Maharashtra Assembly Election Results 2024: Congress Appoints Observers
According to a press release issued by the AICC, former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and Dr G Parameshwara are the observers for Maharashtra.
Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: Sena vs SenaBoth Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde worked hard to gain supremacy in the 49 constituencies where they are locked in a direct fight. Thackeray approached the voters targeting Mr Shinde for committing treachery to gain power while Mr Shinde cornered his former boss alleging him of leaving Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray's Hindutva by joining hands with Congress and NCP to become the chief minister.
Mr Thackeray fired salvos against Mr Shinde for following BJP's Hindutva which he alleged was fake with a sole objective to get power. On the other hand, Mr Shinde criticised Uddhav Thackeray for joining hands with those who insult Veer Savarkar and indulge in appeasement politics.
Maharashtra Assembly Election Results 2024: 49 Seats To Decide Real Shiv SenaMaharashtra Assembly election is not just a battle of prestige for the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena and Eknath Shinde faction but an acid test which will decide a 'real' Shiv Sena in 49 constituencies where they are locked in a direct fight.
Of the 49 seats, both are pitted against each other in 19 seats from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), 11 from Mumbai district and Mumbai Suburban, eight seats each from Marathwada and Konkan, six seats from Vidarbha and four seats each from North Maharashtra and Western Maharashtra.
The fight between both factions is important as after the rebellion Eknath Shinde-led faction succeeded in getting the Shiv Sena name and the symbol bow and arrow during the court battle. On the other hand, Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena got the SS (UBT) name and flaming torch as an election symbol.
Maharashtra Election Results 2024 Live: BJP Mob Tried To Enter Strong Room: Rohit PawarNCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar alleged 25-30 BJP workers at midnight tried to enter the strong room where EVMs of Karjat-Jamkhed constituency, from where he contested, are kept.
"Around 25-30 BJP workers attempted to forcefully enter the strongroom where the EVM machines were stored at midnight in Karjat Jamkhed in in Ahilyanagar. However, my party workers, along with CRPF personnel, handled the situation patiently and foiled the attempt, for which I am thankful!" Pawar said on social media platform X.
Pawar claimed he approached police but, under the influence of the BJP, they chose to "harass us instead of cooperating".
Mr Pawar is pitted against BJP leader and former state minister Ram Shinde in Karjat-Jamkhed.
Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: Poster Depicting Ajit Pawar As CM Taken DownA poster depicting NCP chief and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar as the Chief Minister in Pune was taken down. The poster was placed by party leader Santosh Nangare.
Maharashtra Assembly Election Results: MVA Huddle After Counting?The Maha Vikas Aghadi constituents have decided to house all its newly-elected MLAs together in Mumbai after the Maharashtra election results, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said, a move aimed at preventing poaching ahead of government formation.
"We have decided to bring all newly-elected MLAs to Mumbai. New MLAs have no provision to stay in Mumbai. So we have decided to make their residential arrangements together," he said.
Raut also expressed confidence that MVA will win at least 160 of 288 seats.
Maharashtra Assembly Election Results Live: 'Will Choose Side That Can Form Government': Prakash AmbedkarVanchit Bahujan Aghadi chief Prakash Ambedkar said that if his party gets the required numbers in the Maharashtra assembly polls, it will choose the side that can form the government.
"If VBA gets the numbers, tomorrow, to support a party or an alliance to form the government in Maharashtra, we will choose to be with one who can form the government. We will choose power!," wrote the leader on X.
The VBA has fielded 200 candidates in the Maharashtra assembly polls.
Assembly Election Results Live: Kasba Peth: BJP Seeks To Reclaim Bastion From CongressThe Kasba Peth assembly constituency in Pune is gearing up for a fierce battle between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress (INC). The constituency is particularly significant as the BJP seeks to reclaim its bastion from the Congress.
Pune NCP President Deepak Mankar said the victory will be theirs, owing to the alliance's hard work and the additional strength brought by the NCP's partnership with the BJP. Mankar said that Congress's sitting MLA Ravindra Dhangekar had done nothing for the people except publicity stunts.
Challenges for Ravindra Dhangekar also come from senior Congress leader Kamal Vyavahare who contested as an independent candidate after the party denied her a ticket.
Kasba Peth is the smallest assembly constituency in the district, with 2,83,635 voters, compared to Chinchwad's 6,63,622 voters--the highest in the district.