Voting for Maharashtra’s 288 assembly seats concluded on Wednesday, marking the end of the single-phase elections. While the fate of candidates remains sealed in EVMs until the results are declared on November 23, exit poll data predictions indicate a strong likelihood of the ruling Mahayuti coalition retaining power in the state.
Exit Poll Projections: A Favorable Outlook for Mahayuti
According to the Matrize exit poll survey, the Mahayuti coalition is expected to secure 150-170 seats, whereas the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is projected to win between 110 and 130 seats. Smaller parties and independents may account for 8-10 seats.
Similarly, Chanakya Strategies predicts a robust performance for the Mahayuti, estimating their tally at 152-160 seats, while the MVA is projected to garner 130-138 seats. Others are likely to clinch 6-8 seats.
A Battle Between Giants
This high-stakes electoral battle in Maharashtra pits the ruling Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, the Eknath Shinde faction of Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s faction of the NCP, against the opposition MVA coalition. The MVA features the Congress, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction, and Sharad Pawar’s NCP faction.
Key seat distribution in the alliances underscores the fierce competition:
Mahayuti: BJP contested 149 seats, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) 81, and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) 59.
MVA: Congress fielded candidates in 101 constituencies, Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction) in 95, and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) in 86.
Other notable players in the election include the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) with 237 candidates and AIMIM contesting 17 seats.
Current Scenario: Mahayuti’s Dominance
The Mahayuti coalition currently governs Maharashtra, having formed an alliance after a dramatic political reshuffle in recent years. Despite challenges from a united opposition, exit polls suggest that their voter base remains intact.
What Lies Ahead?
As political analysts debate the accuracy of these projections, the final verdict rests with the people. With 23 November set as the date of reckoning, Maharashtra awaits clarity on its political future.
Will the exit polls hold true, or will the state witness an electoral twist? The anticipation is palpable, and all eyes are on the upcoming results to determine the next chapter in Maharashtra’s political saga.
Two exit polls -- Matrize and People's Pulse -- have predicted a return of the ruling alliance in Maharashtra. The NDA, they have predicted, will also bag Jharkhand, with the INDIA alliance trailing far back in both states.
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