Sat Nov 23 20:53:59 UTC 2024: ## BJP Sweeps Maharashtra, JMM Retains Power in Jharkhand in State Assembly Elections

**New Delhi/Ranchi, [Date]** – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a landslide victory in Maharashtra’s Assembly elections, winning a stunning 132 seats as part of the Mahayuti alliance’s 235-seat triumph. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attributed the win to the alliance’s focus on development and good governance, characterizing it as a rejection of “lies, deceit, and divisive politics.” The Mahayuti, comprising the BJP, the Eknath Shinde faction of Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP, surpassed the halfway mark comfortably, securing a clear majority. While BJP leaders hinted at Devendra Fadnavis as the likely next Chief Minister, Deputy CM Fadnavis stated that the alliance leadership would collectively decide.

In Mumbai, the BJP won 15 out of 17 contested seats, overshadowing the once dominant Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction), which managed only 10. The Mahayuti coalition won 22 of Mumbai’s 36 seats overall. Sharad Pawar’s NCP failed to win a single seat in the city. The MNS, led by Raj Thackeray, failed to win any seats.

Meanwhile, in Jharkhand, a different story unfolded. Hemant Soren’s JMM-led INDIA bloc defied expectations, securing a second consecutive term by winning 56 seats, against the NDA’s 24. Soren attributed the victory to the people’s own “worldview” and highlighted the BJP’s perceived indifference to tribal communities. The BJP’s best-ever performance in Maharashtra, however, contrasted sharply with their Jharkhand showing.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge expressed surprise at the Maharashtra results, while the party begins to analyze the reasons behind their loss. Several prominent figures, including former Congress ministers, experienced defeat, while some high-profile BJP candidates secured significant wins. The results suggest a strong endorsement of Prime Minister Modi’s leadership and development agenda. The BJP hailed the outcome as a historic achievement, marking the third consecutive win for the NDA in the state.

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