As the vote counting for the 2024 elections progresses, the Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra is on track for a significant victory, leading in over 200 of the state’s 288 seats.
In contrast, Jharkhand is witnessing a closely contested race, with the JMM-led INDIA bloc holding a slight edge over the BJP-led NDA.
The Mahayuti, a coalition of the BJP, Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, Ajit Pawar’s NCP, and several smaller parties, is securing a commanding position in Maharashtra.
With over 221 seats in the early trends, the alliance appears set to retain power in the state. The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), consisting of the Congress, Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT), and Sharad Pawar’s NCP-SP, trails with leads in 55 seats.
In the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections, the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance had won a majority, but political instability led to the Shiv Sena’s exit from the coalition, resulting in frequent changes in the chief minister’s office. This election, however, marks a return to power for the Mahayuti if current trends hold.
In Jharkhand, the race is much closer, with the JMM-led INDIA bloc leading in 50 seats, just ahead of the BJP-led NDA, which is ahead in 30 seats.
The majority threshold in Jharkhand is 41 seats, and as the counting progresses, both alliances are vying for control. The state held its elections in two phases, on November 13 and 20, with results starting to emerge early on November 23.
In the 2019 Jharkhand elections, the JMM emerged as the largest party, securing 30 seats, and formed a coalition government with Congress and RJD. This election is crucial for both parties as they seek to consolidate their influence in the state
Exit polls before the elections had predicted a variety of outcomes. In Maharashtra, most forecasts, including People’s Pulse, gave the Mahayuti a significant lead, with an expected range of 175-195 seats.
In contrast, Electoral Edge predicted a narrower margin for the MVA, suggesting a possible victory for the opposition.
In Jharkhand, early exit polls painted a mixed picture, with Matrize predicting 42-47 seats for the NDA and 25-30 for the INDIA bloc, while Axis My India gave a slight edge to the INDIA bloc with a 45% vote share.
The final results are still unfolding, and live updates on both states are expected throughout the day as counting progresses.