Wed Nov 20 17:55:21 UTC 2024: ## Maharashtra Assembly Elections Conclude with 58% Turnout, Exit Polls Predict BJP-led Mahayuti Victory

**Mumbai, November 20, 2024** – Voting concluded today in Maharashtra’s fiercely contested assembly elections, with a final voter turnout of 58.22%. All 288 seats saw a total of 4,136 candidates vying for power, resulting in a largely bipolar contest between the ruling Mahayuti alliance (BJP, Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction, and Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena) and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance (Shiv Sena (UBT), Sharad Pawar’s NCP faction, and Congress).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged voters to participate enthusiastically in the democratic process. The election saw high-profile campaigning from national leaders across both alliances. Despite efforts by the Election Commission to boost participation, urban areas, particularly Mumbai, Pune, and Thane, registered lower-than-expected turnout. Mumbai city recorded the lowest turnout at 49%.

Several celebrities, including Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Anupam Kher, cast their votes, urging citizens to participate. Concerns were raised regarding irregularities in the voter list by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.

While the official results are awaited, three exit polls predicted a Mahayuti victory, though the margin varied significantly across the polls. ABP News-Matrize projected 150-170 seats for Mahayuti and 110-130 for MVA, while P-Marq predicted a clear majority for Mahayuti (137-158) with MVA receiving 126-146 seats. More optimistic polls predicted even higher numbers for Mahayuti. The MVA countered these predictions, citing previous instances where exit polls proved inaccurate.

The election results will be crucial for both the BJP, testing its ability to maintain power with regional allies, and the INDIA bloc, which has significant representation in the MVA. The high stakes reflect not only a battle for power in one of India’s wealthiest states but also a test of leadership legacies and political survival for many key players. The final results are expected in the coming days.

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