New Delhi: Crores of voters are heading to the polls on Wednesday for assembly elections in the politically pivotal states of Maharashtra and Jharkhand, a crucial test for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its regional allies.
In Maharashtra, the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is aiming to retain power, while the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) seeks a strong resurgence. Voting began at 7 am across all 288 constituencies and will continue until 6 pm, with results set to be declared on November 23. Over 9.7 crore voters will determine the fate of 4,136 candidates, according to election officials.
The Mahayuti alliance includes the BJP contesting 149 seats, Shiv Sena 81, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP 59. Meanwhile, the MVA coalition—comprising Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and Sharad Pawar’s NCP—has fielded 101, 95, and 86 candidates, respectively. Other parties, such as the BSP and AIMIM, are also in contention, with the BSP fielding 237 candidates and AIMIM 17.
In Jharkhand, The ruling JMM-led INDIA bloc is aiming to retain power, banking on its welfare schemes, while the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is striving to reclaim control.
According to Election Commission officials, 1.23 crore voters, including 60.79 lakh women and 147 third-gender electors, are eligible to cast their votes on Wednesday. A total of 528 candidates are contesting in this second phase of the elections, including Chief Minister and JMM leader Hemant Soren, his wife Kalpana Soren, and BJP’s Leader of Opposition Amar Kumar Bauri.
Exit poll predictions will start coming in after the voting is concluded in Maharashtra and Jharkhand at 6 pm.
Stay tuned with to get the latest and accurate updates on the exit polls prediction for Maharashtra and Jharkhand assembly elections.
