Wed Nov 20 04:09:21 UTC 2024: ## Maharashtra Assembly Elections: Campaigning Ends, High Stakes Await
**Mumbai, India** – Maharashtra’s highly anticipated assembly elections are just around the corner, with campaigning officially concluding Monday. The election, scheduled for November 20th, pits the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance against the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in a contest marked by significant political upheaval since the last election in 2019.
The campaign saw a flurry of activity from national and regional leaders, culminating in a massive crackdown on electoral malpractices. Enforcement agencies seized over ₹1,000 crore (approximately $121 million USD) in cash, liquor, drugs, and other illegal inducements aimed at influencing voters, with Maharashtra accounting for a substantial portion of the seizures (over ₹660 crore).
The state’s political landscape has been dramatically reshaped by internal party splits. The BJP’s alliance with the Shiv Sena fractured, leading to a rebellion by Eknath Shinde, who ultimately formed a government with the BJP. Similarly, a split within the NCP saw Ajit Pawar join the ruling coalition, leaving Sharad Pawar’s faction to operate independently.
This election features a reshaped political alignment: The BJP, Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction form the Mahayuti alliance, while the Congress, Sharad Pawar’s NCP faction, and Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena faction are contesting under the MVA banner.
The number of candidates contesting has risen by 28% to 4,136, compared to 3,239 in 2019, reflecting increased competition and a surge in rebel candidates. Voter numbers have also increased to 96,369,410, with over 2 million first-time voters. Polling will take place across 100,186 booths, beginning at 7 am and ending at 6 pm on November 20th. Exit polls will be released after 6:30 pm on the same day, with vote counting scheduled for November 23rd.
First Piper 