The political scene in Maharashtra is very exciting right now because everyone is waiting for the results of the November 20, 2024, assembly elections. With an average turnout of about 65.11 percent, this election is a big deal in Maharashtra’s political history because it shows that people are more interested in politics than in the past [1, 2, 7].
Important political figures and groups
Mahayuti, which is made up of the ruling BJP, the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), and NCP (Ajit Pawar), and Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which is made up of Congress, the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction), and NCP (Sharad Pawar), fought hard in the elections. Key people like Uddhav Thackeray, who leads the MVA, and Devendra Fadnavis, who represents the BJP in Maharashtra, have a lot at stake. Both leaders have played a big role in shaping their parties’ strategies and attempts to reach out to voters [3, 4].
Predictions for the election and controversies
As exit polls came out after the election, they showed that the Mahayuti alliance might have won. Several polls showed that the Mahayuti could win between 125 and 140 seats, and that the MVA could come in close behind with between 135 and 150 seats. This close election makes it more likely that there will be a hung assembly, which could mean tough talks and power struggles between parties[2, 6].
An important member of the Shiv Sena (UBT), Sanjay Raut, was sure that the MVA would win between 160 and 165 seats and that their alliance would make the government stable. This bold statement has caused a lot of discussion in the political world, especially since different exit polls show that Mahayuti won [7].
Public Participation and Public Opinion
People are becoming more interested in politics, as shown by the high voter turnout—the best since the 1995 assembly elections. There are many reasons for this rise in participation, such as important issues like unemployment, inflation, and social justice groups that have touched voters of all ages and backgrounds [5, 6].
There are also signs that Maharashtra’s diverse population is shifting its allegiances, with many voters putting individual candidates ahead of traditional party memberships. Maharashtra’s political landscape may need to change because of this trend. Parties may need to change their methods to appeal to voters who are becoming more picky.
How this affects the future of politics in Maharashtra
The election results will be made public on November 23, 2024. They will not only decide who runs Maharashtra, but they will also affect future political ties and plans. If there is a hung assembly, it could lead to alliances or even re-alignments between parties that have never happened before. This would have a big effect on how the state is governed and policies are made.
How each party handles this election cycle will also set the tone for future elections, especially the important Lok Sabha elections in 2024. As both alliances try to gain more power and meet the urgent needs of their people, their work will be closely watched.
In short, Maharashtra’s assembly elections have shown how political goals, voter opinion, and strategic moves by important players all affect each other in complicated ways. While we wait for the final results, one thing is clear: the state’s politics are changing quickly. This is typical of Indian politics as a whole, where individual candidates and important social and economic problems are making traditional loyalties less important.
Citations:
[1] https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/maharashtra-exit-poll-live-assembly-election-2024-bjp-congress-shiv-sena-uddhav-thackeray-latest-updates-101732093469239.html
[2] https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/maharashtra-election-2024-exit-poll-prediction-news-live-updates-liveblog-12872178.html
[3] https://indianexpress.com/article/india/maharashtra-exit-polls-2024-today-live-updates-mahayuti-mva-udhav-thackrey-eknath-shinde-ncp-ajit-pawar-9679583/
[4] https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/maharashtra-assembly-election-exit-poll-result-today-2024-live-updates-eci-cvoter-axismyindia-indiatoday-mahayuti-vs-mva-bjp-vs-congress-vs-ncp-election-news-predictions/3670224/
[5] https://www.thehindu.com/elections/maharashtra-assembly/maharashtra-assembly-elections-voting-live-updates/article68885779.ece
[6] https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/maharashtra-assembly-elections-highlights-mahayuti-poised-to-win-maharashtra-polls-mva-likely-to-fall-short-of-majority/article68886334.ece
[7] https://www.cnbctv18.com/india/politics/maharashtra-election-results-2024-live-updates-assembly-polls-vidhan-sabha-polling-mahayuti-mva-clean-sweep-liveblog-19512286.html
