Elections

As the results of the Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly elections approach on November 23, 2024, political parties are taking extra precautions to secure their newly-elected MLAs and prevent defections. In Maharashtra, both the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) have instructed their winning candidates to gather in Mumbai by Saturday evening to ensure swift government formation. The state’s current Assembly term ends on November 26, raising concerns over the imposition of President's Rule if a new government is not formed. Similarly, in Jharkhand, parties are mobilizing their victorious candidates to Ranchi and monitoring the counting process closely to avoid any poaching attempts.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has released its first list of 11 candidates for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, scheduled for February next year. The list includes six former BJP and Congress leaders, such as Anil Jha, BB Tyagi, and Zubair Choudhary, while three sitting AAP legislators—Gulab Singh, Abdul Rehman, and Rituraj Jha—have been dropped. AAP Delhi convener Gopal Rai explained that the candidates were selected based on surveys and local feedback. The party is confident that the people of Delhi will re-elect AAP, building on its ongoing election campaigns. However, both BJP and Congress have criticized the list, with BJP calling it a sign of anti-incumbency and Congress accusing AAP of desperation.

Pradeep Gupta’s Axis My India exit poll has predicted a decisive victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Mahayuti alliance in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, with the ruling coalition expected to win 178-200 seats in the 288-member assembly. In contrast, the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is projected to secure 82-102 seats. The Mahayuti alliance is also anticipated to dominate in key regions such as Mumbai and Vidarbha, with a projected vote share of 48% compared to the MVA's 37%. Other exit polls, including those by P-MARQ and Chanakya, have similarly indicated a strong showing for the Mahayuti, though some suggest a tighter contest for the majority mark of 145 seats.

Exit Polls Predict BJP-Sena-NCP Alliance to Retain Maharashtra, NDA to Edge Ahead in Jharkhand. Exit polls suggest the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is set to retain power in Maharashtra, with predictions of winning 150-170 seats in the 288-member Assembly. The MVA alliance, comprising Congress, Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena, and Sharad Pawar's NCP, is expected to secure 110-130 seats. Meanwhile, in Jharkhand, the BJP-led NDA is predicted to win 42-47 seats, narrowly surpassing the halfway mark, while the JMM-Congress alliance is expected to secure 25-30 seats. The final vote counts will be announced on November 23.

On November 20, voters in Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and several other states will head to the polls in crucial elections. In Maharashtra, the intense battle between the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) will take place for the 288-seat assembly. The election is significant as it marks the first since the Shiv Sena and NCP split into rival factions. Meanwhile, Jharkhand’s ongoing assembly elections will see polling in 38 constituencies, with key figures like CM Hemant Soren and BJP’s Amar Kumar Bauri in the race. Additionally, by-elections will be held in 15 assembly seats across Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Kerala, and Uttarakhand. The results of these polls, with counting set for November 23, could shape the political landscape of these states.