Sat Nov 23 07:36:01 UTC 2024: **BJP-Shiv Sena alliance sweeps Maharashtra Assembly Elections**
MUMBAI, INDIA – Early trends in the Maharashtra Assembly election results show a resounding victory for the BJP-led alliance (Mahayuti). With over three hours of counting completed, the BJP and the Shinde faction of Shiv Sena have secured enough seats to form a government without the need for additional allies.
According to latest trends, the BJP is leading in over 109 seats, while the Shinde-led Shiv Sena is ahead in approximately 49, exceeding the 145-seat majority mark. The combined tally of these two parties puts them far ahead of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), the Congress-led opposition alliance.
The MVA is trailing significantly, with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), led by Sharad Pawar, facing a major setback. Preliminary results indicate that the NCP is performing far below expectations, with leads in only a handful of seats. Pawar’s stronghold of Baramati also appears to be slipping away from the NCP. Sanjay Raut, a leader from the Uddhav Thackeray faction of Shiv Sena, has expressed concerns over the results, questioning the seemingly complete victory of the Shinde group’s candidates.
The BJP’s performance surpasses even its previous best showing in the state. The party’s projected seat count surpasses its 2014 win of 122 seats.
This decisive victory marks a significant shift in Maharashtra’s political landscape, with the MVA alliance suffering a substantial defeat. The BJP’s impressive performance suggests a strong mandate from the electorate for its policies and leadership. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, are projected to retain their seats. Final results are still pending, but the current trends paint a clear picture of a BJP-Shiv Sena victory in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections.
First Piper 