Tue Oct 15 14:21:20 UTC 2024: ## Maharashtra and Jharkhand Head to the Polls in November

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the dates for assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand, setting the stage for high-stakes political battles.

Maharashtra will go to polls in a single phase on **November 20**, while Jharkhand will vote in two phases, on **November 13 and 20**. The counting of votes for both states will take place on **November 23**.

In Maharashtra, the ruling Mahayuti alliance, comprising Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, BJP, and Ajit Pawar-led NCP, will face off against the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance of Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and Sharad Pawar-led NCP.

The 2019 election saw the BJP emerge as the single largest party, but a power struggle led to a split in the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance, resulting in the formation of the MVA government under Uddhav Thackeray. However, the MVA government fell in June 2022 after a rebellion within the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde, who subsequently formed a government with the BJP.

Meanwhile, in Jharkhand, the INDIA bloc will challenge the BJP’s bid to unseat the JMM-led government. The 2019 election witnessed a decisive victory for the JMM-led alliance, comprising Congress and RJD, securing 47 out of 81 seats. JMM leader Hemant Soren is facing a tough fight this time, battling corruption charges in an alleged land scam case.

The upcoming elections are expected to be closely watched across the country, with both Maharashtra and Jharkhand holding significant political weight. The results will have a major impact on national politics and could influence the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in 2024.

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