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NDA Surpasses 145 Seats in Maharashtra; MVA Far Behind

In the Maharashtra Assembly elections, the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti coalition appears set for a significant victory, leading in 186 of the 288 seats as of 9:45 am. The alliance, which includes factions of the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, respectively, is outpacing the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which is ahead in only 78 seats. Voter turnout reached 65.1%, the highest since 2014, with both alliances claiming it as indicative of their support. Key contests include outgoing Chief Minister Eknath Shinde facing Kedar Dighe and Ajit Pawar battling his nephew Yugendra Pawar in Baramati. The election, marked by political maneuvering for the Chief Minister's post, follows a tumultuous political landscape since the 2019 elections, which saw significant party realignments and controversies. sources

Published:
Nov 23 2024, 9 am

Uddhav Thackeray Loses "Real Sena" Battle Against Mahayuti

In the wake of the Maharashtra election results, Uddhav Thackeray faces a significant political setback, with his faction of the Shiv Sena securing only 18 seats compared to Eknath Shinde's 57. Thackeray's leadership has come under scrutiny as Shinde's camp claims an ideological victory, accusing Thackeray of abandoning his father's principles for power. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also criticized Thackeray, branding him as a "fake child" of the Sena founder, further complicating Thackeray's position. Despite a strong performance in the Lok Sabha elections just six months prior, the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance's losses indicate a shift in voter sentiment. Thackeray, known for his previously affable demeanor, had adopted a more aggressive stance before the elections, declaring a high-stakes challenge to the BJP. As his party grapples with this defeat, expectations are mounting for Thackeray to redefine its future direction amidst increasing political pressure. sources

Published:
Nov 23 2024, 5 pm

NDA's Game of Thrones Begins After Maharashtra Victory

Top leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) convened at Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's residence in Mumbai following a significant electoral victory in Maharashtra. The meeting, held at Varsha, witnessed Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar congratulating Shinde, with the seating arrangement—Shinde and Fadnavis on identical high-back chairs, while Pawar and Union Minister Ramdas Athawale occupied smaller ones—hinting at shifting power dynamics. The BJP's impressive performance, winning 130 out of 148 contested seats, positions it to claim the Chief Minister role, despite Shinde currently holding the post after a 2022 rebellion that reshaped the political landscape. While a formal decision on leadership will be made in an allies' meeting, BJP's strong showing grants it leverage, suggesting that the coalition partners may have to settle for lesser roles. The allies, however, presented a united front while addressing the media post-election. sources

Published:
Nov 23 2024, 4 pm

PM: Development and Good Governance Drive NDA's Maharashtra Victory

Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated the significant victory of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Mahayuti coalition in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, where the alliance is projected to win 233 out of 288 seats, marking a return to dominance in the state. In a series of messages on X, Modi expressed gratitude to the people of Maharashtra, especially the youth and women, for their historic mandate, emphasizing that "development and good governance win." As the coalition prepares for leadership discussions, questions arise about whether Eknath Shinde will continue as Chief Minister or if Devendra Fadnavis will reclaim the role. Meanwhile, in Jharkhand, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance is set to lose to the Congress-led INDIA bloc, with the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leading in 57 of 81 seats. Modi acknowledged the support from Jharkhand's voters while congratulating the JMM-led alliance on their victory. sources

Published:
Nov 23 2024, 4 pm

Maharashtra Chief Minister: Devendra Fadnavis's Statement

The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance has achieved a significant victory in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, eclipsing the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi. With the focus now shifting to the next Chief Minister, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis confirmed that a decision is forthcoming, emphasizing that it will be made collectively by the alliance leaders under the guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Fadnavis, a former Chief Minister, noted that there would be no disputes regarding the selection. The contest appears to be primarily between Fadnavis and outgoing Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who played a pivotal role in the BJP's success after the 2022 Shiv Sena rebellion. While the BJP is poised for its best performance, it may fall short of a majority without Shinde's support. The dynamics could shift further with the backing of Ajit Pawar's NCP faction, complicating the leadership landscape ahead of the final decision. sources

Published:
Nov 23 2024, 3 pm

Yogi Adityanath Stands Firm on 'Batenge Toh Katenge' After Bypoll Win

Following a successful bypoll in Uttar Pradesh, where the BJP-RLD alliance secured seven out of nine Assembly seats, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reaffirmed his controversial slogan '_batenge toh katenge_' (if we are divided, we will be slaughtered) that has characterized the election discourse. In a post on X, he attributed the victory to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and highlighted the slogan '_Ek hai toh safe hai_' (together, we are safe). Adityanath expressed gratitude to voters for supporting good governance and congratulated the winning candidates. However, the slogan has faced criticism, even from within BJP ranks, with some leaders deeming it in poor taste. Notably, BJP ally Ajit Pawar voiced his disapproval, leading to a heated response from Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who defended the slogan as reflective of public sentiment. sources

Published:
Nov 23 2024, 3 pm

Trinamool Wins Bengal Bypolls, Takes Seat from BJP After 8 Years

Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress (TMC) has achieved a significant victory in the West Bengal assembly by-elections, reclaiming the Madarihat constituency from the BJP, which had held it since 2016. TMC candidates also triumphed in Sitai, Haroa, Naihati, Taldangra, and Medinipur, with notable margins; Sangita Roy won in Sitai by 1.3 lakh votes, while Jayprakash Toppo defeated BJP's Rahul Lohar in Madarihat by over 28,000 votes. TMC workers celebrated the results, viewing them as a rejection of opposition claims regarding the RG Kar hospital incident. Banerjee expressed gratitude to her supporters, emphasizing their common identity, while her nephew Abhishek Banerjee lauded the victories as a response to negative narratives about the state. The counting of votes continues for 48 assembly seats and two parliamentary constituencies across 15 states, with results expected throughout the day. sources

Published:
Nov 23 2024, 3 pm

Ajaz Khan Receives Only 131 Votes in Maharashtra Elections

MUMBAI: Former Bigg Boss contestant Ajaz Khan's foray into politics has ended in disappointment, as he garnered only 131 votes while contesting the Maharashtra assembly election from the Versova constituency under the Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram). Despite boasting over 5.6 million Instagram followers, his social media fame did not translate into electoral success. Haroon Khan leads the constituency with 58,047 votes, while the NOTA (None of the Above) option received 1,022 votes, significantly outpacing Khan. The voter turnout in Versova was 42.2%, amidst a competitive election featuring 16 candidates in a traditionally Congress stronghold. Overall, Maharashtra saw a remarkable voter turnout, with early trends indicating a decisive victory for the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, which was leading in 231 of the 288 assembly seats, while the rival Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition was reduced to just 51 seats. sources

Published:
Nov 23 2024, 2 pm

Swara Bhasker's EVM Rant as Husband Trails in Election

As Fahad Ahmad, husband of actress Swara Bhasker, began to trail in the vote count for Mumbai's Anushakti Nagar seat, Bhasker raised concerns about the integrity of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Ahmad, representing the Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction, had initially led the count but fell behind Sana Malik, the candidate from Ajit Pawar's NCP, by over 3,000 votes as the counting neared completion. Bhasker took to social media, questioning how EVMs that had been in use all day could suddenly show a 99% charge, suggesting a potential bias in favor of the BJP and its allies. Ahmad echoed her sentiments, stating he would pursue the matter with the Election Commission. Meanwhile, the NDA coalition is dominating the Maharashtra polls, leading in 225 of the 288 seats, while the Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition, which recently performed well in Lok Sabha elections, is significantly trailing with only 56 seats. sources

Published:
Nov 23 2024, 2 pm

Eknath Shinde Questions Maharashtra CM; Receives Cautious Response

MUMBAI: As trends from the Maharashtra Assembly polls indicate a strong mandate for the NDA's Mahayuti, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde faced questions about the next Chief Minister. Responding to the BJP's stance that the party with the highest vote share will nominate the Chief Minister, Shinde stated, "Let the final results come in... all three parties will sit together and take a decision." Shinde's faction of the Shiv Sena is leading on 56 seats, a significant improvement from the Lok Sabha elections, while Uddhav Thackeray's faction trails with 18 seats. However, with the BJP leading in 127 of the 148 seats it contested, speculation arises about former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis potentially reclaiming the position. Shinde's negotiating power appears limited, as the BJP may prioritize its own interests, while the NDA overall leads on 225 seats in the 288-member Assembly, leaving the opposition far behind at 55. sources

Published:
Nov 23 2024, 1 pm

NCP's All-Time Low Six Months After Lok Sabha Success

Sharad Pawar, a prominent figure in Indian politics, has indicated he may retire after his Rajya Sabha term ends in 2026. At 83, his potential exit follows disappointing results for his faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in the recent Maharashtra Assembly elections, where it is leading in only 13 of the 288 seats contested, marking a stark decline from an 80% strike rate in the Lok Sabha polls just six months prior. This election is particularly significant as it pits Pawar against his nephew Ajit, whose faction is set to secure 39 seats, underscoring a dramatic shift in power dynamics. Historically, Pawar has been a key player in Maharashtra politics, having served as Chief Minister four times and holding various central cabinet positions. Despite his past successes, these latest results represent a critical low point in his long career, prompting him to consider stepping back from active politics. sources

Published:
Nov 23 2024, 1 pm

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