Sat Nov 23 09:15:10 UTC 2024: ## Mahayuti Sweeping Maharashtra Assembly Elections, Breaking 200-Seat Barrier

**Mumbai, India** – The Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction, is projected to win a record-breaking victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections. With over 231 seats secured out of 288, the alliance is poised to surpass the previous highest seat count, significantly outperforming the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) – the alliance of Congress, Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena faction, and Sharad Pawar’s NCP faction – which is currently leading in only 51 seats.

The BJP is leading in 132 seats, Shinde’s Sena in 55, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP in 40. In contrast, the Congress is ahead in 18 seats, Thackeray’s Sena in 20, and Sharad Pawar’s NCP in 11.

High-profile races saw significant wins for the Mahayuti. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde holds a commanding lead, while Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar is far ahead of his nephew in the Baramati constituency. Aaditya Thackeray also maintains a substantial lead in his contest. However, Zeeshan Siddiqui, son of the late Baba Siddiqui, is trailing in his race.

The results significantly outperform most exit polls, which predicted a Mahayuti victory but with fewer seats. While some exit polls anticipated a hung assembly, the current projections indicate a decisive win for the Mahayuti, shattering previous records and defying some predictions. A record 65.1% voter turnout was recorded. Both alliances interpreted this as a sign of their impending victory.

The race for the Chief Minister’s post is already generating speculation, with the BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde both potential contenders within the Mahayuti. Within the MVA, claims of leadership are being made, but the final decision will depend on the final seat count.

The 2019 election saw a BJP-Shiv Sena victory, followed by a dramatic power shift after a split within the Sena, leading to the formation of the MVA government. This election marks a significant return to power for the BJP-led alliance after a period of significant political upheaval.

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