New Delhi: With voting concluded for both Maharashtra and Jharkhand on Wednesday and vote counting scheduled for Saturday, November 23, the latest exit polls have forecast strong showings for the BJP-led alliances in both states.
In Maharashtra, the Chanakya exit poll predicts a clear victory for the BJP-led Mahayuti coalition, projecting between 150 and 160 seats out of 288, comfortably surpassing the 145 seats needed to form the government. This would mark a significant win for the coalition, which includes the BJP, Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP. A victory in Maharashtra would also serve as redemption for the BJP after its Lok Sabha performance saw a decline in seats in the state.
Redemption for Shinde, Ajit Pawar?
For Eknath Shinde, whose 2022 rebellion led to the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, this could be a remarkable outcome, further consolidating his leadership within the Shiv Sena. Ajit Pawar, who split from his uncle Sharad Pawar’s NCP to join the Mahayuti in 2023, will be focused on Baramati, where the two NCP factions are in direct contest. His success could validate his decision to break away from the MVA.
Meanwhile, in Jharkhand, Chanakya’s exit poll also predicts a strong performance for the BJP-led NDA alliance, projecting 45 to 50 seats out of 81 in the state. The opposition INDIA bloc, led by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), is expected to secure between 35 and 38 seats. Tribal votes, a key constituency in Jharkhand, will be a decisive factor in the outcome.
Infiltration of Bangladeshis on voters’ mind?
Chief minister Hemant Soren has emphasized his government’s schemes for tribal welfare in his manifesto, while the BJP has campaigned on concerns over alleged illegal infiltration of Bangladeshis into the region. The impact of former chief minister Champai Soren’s switch from the JMM to the BJP ahead of the polls will also be closely watched, particularly in the Kolhan region, where he has significant influence over tribal voters.
