Sat Nov 23 08:22:05 UTC 2024: ## Mahayuti Sweeps Maharashtra, JMM-led INDIA Bloc Edges Ahead in Jharkhand
**Mumbai/Ranchi, Nov 23** – Early trends in the Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly election results show a landslide victory for the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra and a narrow lead for the JMM-led INDIA bloc in Jharkhand.
In Maharashtra, the Mahayuti is projected to secure over 220 seats in the 288-member assembly, significantly exceeding the majority mark. The BJP alone is leading in over 120 seats, with significant gains also for the Eknath Shinde faction of Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar’s NCP. The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is trailing significantly. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde declared the win a “landslide victory,” while Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis celebrated the result, attributing the win to the alliance’s developmental work. BJP spokesperson Dr. Sudhanshu Trivedi framed the election as a choice between “ideological legacy” and “family legacy,” claiming the people chose the former. Celebrations erupted outside the residences of key Mahayuti leaders. BJP leader Chandrakant Patil even extended an invitation for Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena faction to rejoin the alliance.
The Jharkhand results present a tighter race. While early trends showed the BJP-led NDA initially in the lead, the JMM-led INDIA bloc has surged ahead, potentially securing a majority. While the final outcome remains uncertain, CM Hemant Soren’s wife, Kalpana Soren, urged patience, highlighting the ongoing vote count and the alliance’s five-year achievements. Congress leader Keshav Mahto Kamlesh also emphasized the alliance’s work during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent migrant support programs.
Exit polls had predicted a Mahayuti win in Maharashtra, though with varying seat projections. In Jharkhand, predictions were more divided, with some predicting a hung assembly. The final results will be officially announced later today.
First Piper 