Sat Nov 23 18:47:40 UTC 2024: ## Maha Vikas Aghadi Suffers Crushing Defeat in Maharashtra Assembly Elections; BJP-led NDA Sweeps to Victory

**Mumbai, November 20, 2024** – The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has achieved a landslide victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, securing a resounding majority and returning to power. Early results indicate the NDA, comprising BJP, Shinde faction of Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP, is on track to win over 235 of the 288 seats.

The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, consisting of the Congress, Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena, and Sharad Pawar’s NCP (SP faction), suffered a devastating defeat. Congress, despite contesting the most seats (101), secured a dismal showing, with their strike rate at a mere 16%. Similarly, Sharad Pawar’s NCP (SP) performed poorly, achieving a strike rate of only 11.6%.

Ajit Pawar’s faction of the NCP, in contrast, performed remarkably well, significantly improving their standing compared to previous elections. Key BJP leaders like Devendra Fadnavis retained their seats, while Chief Minister Eknath Shinde secured a comfortable victory.

Reactions from political leaders have been diverse. While NDA leaders attributed their victory to the “politics of performance” under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, MVA leaders like Uddhav Thackeray alleged irregularities and questioned the election process. Congress leaders expressed surprise and vowed to analyze the results. Several MVA leaders expressed concerns over the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

Prime Minister Modi himself commented on the results, highlighting the MVA’s alleged failures and the NDA’s success.

The high voter turnout of approximately 66.05% across Maharashtra, despite a lower turnout in Mumbai, contributed to the overall election’s significance. The results mark a significant shift in Maharashtra’s political landscape, leaving the MVA facing a considerable challenge in the coming years.

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