New Delhi: The ruling Mahayuti is poised to retain power in Maharashtra and the NDA also having an edge to form government in Jharkhand, exit polls predicted on Wednesday as polling concluded in the two states.
Most exit polls also predicted that Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) would put up a strong show in polls but is unlikely to cross the majority mark in the 288-member assembly.
According to P-MARQ exit poll, the Mahayuti alliance would win 137-157 seats whereas the Maha Vikas Aghadi would get 126-147 seats and others 2-8 seats.
Mahayuti includes BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi includes Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP). Matrize exit poll projected 150-170 seats for the Mahayuti alliance and 110-130 seats for Maha Vikas Aghadi. It said others could get 8-10 seats.
Chanakya Strategies projected that Mahayuti will win 152-150 seats, MVA 130-138 seats and others 6-8 seats
‘Peoples Pulse’ projected Mahayuti scoring a decisive victory by getting 175-195 seats. It said Maha Vikas Aghadi is poised to get 85-112 seats and ‘others’ winning 7-12 seats.
Times Now-JVC poll predicted that Mahayuti will win 150-167 seats, MVA 107-125 and others 13-14.
The Lokshahi Marathi Rudra predicted Mahayuti getting 128-142 seats, MVA 125-10 seats and others 18-33.
The majority mark in the Maharashtra assembly is 145 and outer limit of P-MARQ exit poll predicted that MVA could touch majority if NDA is not able to pull enough weight.
Maharashtra polled 58.22 per cent votes till 5 pm on Wednesday.The elections saw a keen contest between Mahayuti and MVA. It was first assembly poll in the state after splits in Shiv Sena and NCP.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held several rallies in Maharashtra to boost prospects of BJP and Mahayuti candidates. He strongly attacked Congress in his rallies and emphasised ‘hum ek hain to safe hain’ slogan.
Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP chief and Union Health Minister JP Nadda, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari also campaigned the state.
Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar also campaigned extensively in the state.
Uddhav Thackeray lost his chief ministerial position due to split in his party in 2022 and the party has been keen to prove a point in the assembly polls. His key rival Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has also gained popularity due to welfare measures initiated by Mahayuti government and there is a seeming clash over who is true inheritor of Balasaheb Thackeray’s legacy.
NCP also suffered a split with Ajit Pawar joining the ruling alliance as Deputy Chief Minister in July last year. His uncle Sharad Pawar, who now heads NCP(SP), kept a tight campaign and is keen to see that there is no dent to his long legacy in politics.
A lot is at stake for Congress in the Maharashtra assembly polls after the party is seen to have bungled its prospect in the Haryana assembly polls earlier this year. BJP has formed its third successive government in Haryana.
The campaign saw catchy slogans, emotional appeals with factors of caste also coming into play. After setback in the Lok Sabha polls earlier this year, the Mahayuti government took corrective measures and schemes as Ladki Behin Yojana gaining popularity.
Political Parties were plagued by the problem of rebels on several seats. In Jharkhand, exit polls predicted that BJP-led National Democratic Alliance could come to power replacing the JMM-led alliance.
