Wed Nov 20 17:05:13 UTC 2024: ## Maharashtra Exit Polls Predict BJP-led Mahayuti Victory, but Some Show Hung Assembly

**Mumbai, Nov 22** – Conflicting exit polls have emerged for the Maharashtra Assembly elections, with most suggesting a decisive win for the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, but some predicting a hung assembly. The results of the election will be officially announced on November 23rd.

Multiple exit polls project the Mahayuti – comprising the BJP, the Eknath Shinde faction of Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP – to secure anywhere between 128 and 195 seats out of 288, with several placing the alliance comfortably above the 145-seat majority mark. However, at least two polls forecast a hung assembly, leaving the possibility of a post-election power struggle.

Discrepancies exist among the various exit polls, with projections ranging widely. For example, Peoples Pulse predicts a landslide victory for Mahayuti (175-195 seats), while others, like Lokshahi Marathi-Rudra, suggest a much closer contest (Mahayuti 128-142, MVA 125-140).

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is the preferred choice for Chief Minister according to Peoples Pulse, garnering 35.8% support. Uddhav Thackeray and Devendra Fadnavis followed with significantly lower percentages.

Reactions to the exit polls have been mixed. NCP leader Clyde Crasto cautioned against placing too much faith in exit polls, citing the Haryana elections as an example of inaccurate predictions. Conversely, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale expressed confidence in a Mahayuti majority, attributing the projected success to central government schemes and the alliance’s performance over the past 2.5 years.

The elections themselves were marred by several incidents of violence and vandalism at polling booths across various districts, including Parli, Beed, and Nashik. Despite these incidents, the Election Commission reported a state-wide voter turnout of 58.22% by 5 PM. Urban areas, particularly Mumbai, saw lower turnout than expected.

The final results will be eagerly awaited, as the conflicting exit polls leave the outcome of the Maharashtra Assembly elections uncertain.

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