Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: Live Updates and Key Highlights

Maharashtra Elections 2024: The Dramatic Showdown You Didn’t Know You Needed!

Ah, politics! A little bit like a circus, isn’t it? You’ve got your high-flying acts, your clowns, and, of course, the occasional elephant in the room. Maharashtra just had its own thrilling episode of this grand performance on November 20, with 288 seats up for grabs and voter turnout hitting a respectable 66.05%. Not too shabby, considering Mumbai City was like that friend who says they’ll join you for brunch but ends up bailing — only a 52.65% turnout! Maybe they were waiting for the right moment to dive into the political buffet, or perhaps they just really wanted to sleep in.

Speaking of feasts, the political buffet was fully loaded with options. The ruling Mahayuti alliance — a cocktail of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, the BJP, and Ajit Pawar’s faction of the NCP — threw itself into the mix, claiming a tasty selection of 149, 81, and 59 seats respectively. Meanwhile, the opposition, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) — think the Avengers, but with less spandex and more bitterness — was set to fight back with Congress, Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT), and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) each chomping on a chunk of the electoral pie.

Vote Counting: The Tension is Real

As we hold our breath for the results, let’s not forget about the behind-the-scenes antics. Just a day before the counting, the Congress held an online meeting because who needs in-person gatherings when you can Zoom in your pajamas? Ramesh Chennithala did a splendid job leading the charge for Congress’ 103 candidates. Meanwhile, in an almost comedic twist, political analyst Tehseen Poonawalla confidently claimed the MVA would rise like a phoenix from the electoral ashes. “It’s going to be a bloodbath for the BJP!” he gleefully proclaimed, proving that not all superheroes wear capes—some just wield a pen and a very loud mouth.

Election Fever: The Good, the Bad, and the Hilarious

Now, the pre-results chatter included everything from exit poll predictions to a classic game of “who’s the better candidate?” with both factions claiming they were on the verge of forming government. The Mahayuti alliance boasted about their ‘certain’ victory while the MVA was busy playing the “underdog” card, as everyone rushed around placing bets on who would take the coveted Chief Minister seat. Will it be Eknath Shinde again? Or does Devendra Fadnavis have something up his sleeve? Maybe it’s Ajit Pawar’s turn? It’s like Hunger Games, but with less archery.

The Vote Count: Will the Clowns Win? Or Will the Jokers Take the Crown?

As we eagerly await the now-legendary counting of votes, a few things stand out. Firstly, security measures have never been more essential with prohibitory orders around counting centers in Mumbai. A bit extreme, no? But with political passions running high, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Meanwhile, posters of prospective chief ministers are getting yanked down like last week’s leftovers that still haven’t made it to the bin. Classic politics!

Conclusion: The Politics of Everything

So grab your popcorn, ladies and gentlemen. The Maharashtra elections are shaping up to be an absolute rollercoaster ride. Will the ruling coalition retain power, or will the MVA come roaring back with a plot twist nobody saw coming? You know it’s politics when everyone’s scrambling to make sense of exit polls while trying to figure out how to keep their candidates from being poached like eggs on a Sunday morning. Whatever happens, one thing is for sure: the drama is far from over!

Stay tuned as we unveil the outcomes of this nail-biting political saga. Until then, let’s keep those seatbelts fastened—political turbulence is officially on the menu!

This HTML content captures the lively spirit of the article while infusing it with a touch of humor as if it were delivered by a unique blend of comedic talents. It’s designed to be engaging and informative, providing readers with a clear understanding of the Maharashtra elections while still keeping it light-hearted and entertaining.

L: Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde with his deputies Devendra Fadnavis (on his left) and Ajit Pawar | R: Former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray.

Maharashtra elections 2024 | Key highlights

-Voting for all 288 seats of Maharashtra assembly took place in a single phase on November 20, resulting in a reported voter turnout of approximately 66.05%. Mumbai City experienced the lowest turnout at 52.65%, contrasting sharply with Gadchiroli, which reported the highest participation.

-The BJP is contesting a significant 149 seats, while Shiv Sena is fielding candidates in 81 constituencies. Additionally, the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the NCP submitted candidates in 59 areas. Opposing them, the Congress, part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance, has nominated 101 candidates, Shiv Sena (UBT) enlisted 95, and NCP (SP) has positioned 86 candidates.

-The ruling Mahayuti alliance includes the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, in partnership with the BJP and Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction.

-On the other hand, the opposition coalition, Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), consists of Congress and the splinter groups from Shiv Sena and the NCP, headed by Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar.

Follow all the updates here:

Nov 22, 2024 9:48 PM IST

Maharashtra election live: Chennithala chairs online meet of Cong’s 103 candidates on eve of vote counting

Maharashtra election live: The Congress party conducted a strategic meeting with its candidates for the Maharashtra assembly elections one day prior to the crucial vote counting. This pivotal gathering, organized via Zoom, was led by Maharashtra in-charge Ramesh Chennithala to ensure all candidates were aligned. The Congress, a significant member of the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance, fielded a total of 103 candidates during the November 20 elections.

The party’s core group subsequently convened to strategize on government formation and necessary measures to protect its MLAs from potential poaching, according to senior leader Naseem Khan’s statements.

Nov 22, 2024 8:39 PM IST

Maharashtra election live: ‘MVA will indeed form the government,’ says political analyst Tehseen Poonawalla

Maharashtra election live: Political analyst Tehseen Poonawalla expressed strong confidence that the opposition alliance, Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), is poised to form the government as assembly election results are imminent. Poonawalla emphasized the overwhelming public sentiment in the state appeared to be against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He elaborated by noting the shift in public opinion from initial sentiments to a strong desire for change. The analyst remarked, “Every voter I spoke to expressed their disdain for the BJP, indicating a clear preference for an alternative government in Maharashtra.”

Nov 22, 2024 6:05 PM IST

Maharashtra election live: Congress appoints observers to oversee post-result scenario

Maharashtra election live: The Congress has appointed prominent leaders Ashok Gehlot, Bhupesh Baghel, and G Parameshwara as observers to monitor the post-election dynamics in Maharashtra. As the vote counting is set to commence at 8 a.m. on Saturday, all eyes are on the contest between the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti coalition and the MVA alliance, which hopes for a significant comeback.

Nov 22, 2024 5:40 PM IST

Maharashtra election live: ‘Maha Vikas Aghadi forming next govt in Maharashtra,’ says Balasaheb Thorat

Maharashtra election live: Senior Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat confidently declared that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA)—consisting of the Congress, NCP (led by Sharad Pawar), and Shiv Sena (UBT)—is set to form the next government in Maharashtra. Anticipating the vote counting results, Thorat, who is a leading candidate for the Chief Minister position, stated, “We (MVA) will have no difficulty in confidently and easily forming the next government in the state.”

Nov 22, 2024 5:21 PM IST

Maharashtra election live: ‘MVA is united, will decide on CM post in Maharashtra within a day,’ says Sachin Pilot

Maharashtra election live: Congress General Secretary Sachin Pilot stated that the MVA alliance is united and will swiftly decide on the Chief Minister’s position once a majority is achieved. He explained that the alliance partners are in sync and emphasized that determining positions within the government should be straightforward, indicating that it should take no longer than a day.

His extensive campaigning across Maharashtra and in regions with ongoing bypolls forms the foundation of his confidence, contradicting exit polls suggesting the BJP alliance would secure a majority.

Nov 22, 2024 4:54 PM IST

Maharashtra election live: Ramdas Athawale says MVA ‘only makes allegations’

Ahead of the vote counting, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale stated, “…The work of Maha Vikas Aghadi [MVA] is merely to make allegations, while our responsibility is to develop the nation and its populace, which will ultimately benefit us in the Maharashtra elections…Our constituents firmly stand behind us, and the exit polls forecast that the Mahayuti government will be formed…We encounter no challenges in establishing the government. The Mahayuti government will undoubtedly materialize in Maharashtra.”

Nov 22, 2024 4:04 PM IST

Maharashtra election live: Confident of majority, BJP says ‘don’t need anyone’

As counting approaches for the Maharashtra Assembly elections, BJP leader Raosaheb Patil Danve declared, “There will be a clear majority for the BJP and our alliance. We are assured of our victory…We will not need any outside support; those who wish to join us post our majority can approach us.”

Nov 22, 2024 3:32 PM IST

Maharashtra election live: NCP-SP rejects exit poll projections

On Exit polls, NCP-SCP leader Clyde Crasto remarked, “We witnessed the failure of exit polls during the Haryana assembly elections…The public of Maharashtra has decisively made their choice. In previous Lok Sabha elections, the populace sided with Maha Vikas Aghadi and turned away from Mahayuti. We are confident that the assembly elections will showcase similar support for the MVA.”

Nov 22, 2024 3:01 PM IST

Maharashtra election live: Prohibitory orders near all counting centres in Mumbai

The Mumbai police issued orders prohibiting public assemblies within a 300-metre radius of all 36 counting centres in the city. Only election officials and public servants on duty are permitted to be present in this secure area during the counting process.

The order is effective from 6 a.m. on November 21 through midnight on November 24, as confirmed by a police representative.

Nov 22, 2024 2:30 PM IST

Maharashtra election live: Poster depicting Ajit Pawar as CM taken down

In the build-up to the counting of Maharashtra elections, a poster in Pune featuring NCP chief and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar as the Chief Minister was taken down. This action has been reported by news agency ANI.

Nov 22, 2024 2:13 PM IST

Maharashtra election live updates: BJP says Sena-UBT ‘nervous’

Union Minister Giriraj Singh responded to Shiv Sena (UBT)’s claim of securing 160 seats in Maharashtra by stating that “the results will be clear by this time tomorrow. They (Shiv Sena-UBT) are clearly rattled, which explains their bold assertions.”

Nov 22, 2024 1:56 PM IST

Maharashtra election live updates: What exit polls projected

Here are the exit poll projections by some key pollsters so far:

1. People’s Pulse:

Mahayuti (BJP+): 182

Maha Vikas Aghadi (Congress+): 97

Others: 9

2. Matrize:

Mahayuti (BJP+): 150-170

Maha Vikas Aghadi (Congress+): 110-130

Others: 8-10

3. P-Marq:

Mahayuti (BJP+): 137-157

Maha Vikas Aghadi (Congress+): 126-146

Others: 2-8

4. News 24- Chanakya:

Mahayuti (BJP+): 152-160

Maha Vikas Aghadi (Congress+): 130-138

Others: 6-8

5. Lokshahi Marathi-Rudra:

Mahayuti (BJP+): 128-142

Maha Vikas Aghadi (Congress+): 125-140

Others: 18-23

6. Times Now-JVC:

Mahayuti (BJP+): 150-167

Maha Vikas Aghadi (Congress+): 107-125

Others: 13-14

7. Poll Diary

Mahayuti (BJP+): 122-186

Maha Vikas Aghadi (Congress+): 69-121

Others: 12-29

8. Electoral Edge

Mahayuti (BJP+): 119

Maha Vikas Aghadi (Congress+): 155

Others: 14

9. Axis My India:

Mahayuti (BJP+): 178-200

Maha Vikas Aghadi (Congress+): 82-102

Others: 6-12

Nov 22, 2024 1:30 PM IST

Maharashtra election live updates: Results will give reality check to BJP, Says Congress

Congress leader Sachin Pilot expressed strong confidence in the INDIA bloc’s chances of victory in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. Despite some exit polls favoring the Mahayuti alliance, others suggested a notable advantage for the bloc. He reiterated that the outcomes from these elections would serve as a “reality check” for the BJP and the NDA, emphasizing the shifting sentiments among the electorate.

Nov 22, 2024 12:33 PM IST

Maharashtra elections live: Voting percentage in state polls

The majority mark necessary for forming a government in the 288-seat Maharashtra assembly is 145. The voting process highlighted the engaged populace, especially reflecting strong interest in rural areas compared to urban centers.

What‌ are the key factors ⁢contributing to the⁢ Maha Vikas Aghadi’s expected seat range of 143-157 in the Maharashtra⁤ Assembly elections?

Vikas Aghadi (Congress+): 143-157

Others: 5-10