Maharashtra election results: Maharashtra assembly election results were trending early on Saturday (Nov 23) in the United Kingdom as Bharatiya Janata Party-led Mahayuti crossed the halfway mark, as per the latest trends. England accounted for the majority of the search volume with Scotland not faring much behind. Maharashtra, regarded as the financial capital of India, is the wealthiest state in terms of GDP per capita. Its GSDP for 2022-2023 was approximately Rs 2.89 lakh crore, which signifies that the poll results could have a significant impact on the state populace as well as the expatriate population in the UK.

The MVA, a coalition of the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), had projected itself as a unified opposition to the Mahayuti government but the mirage appears to have not worked. As of the last update, the Mahayuti (209), with Eknath Shinde, projected to continue as the chief minister, had comfortably crossed the majority mark (145) in the 288-seat assembly.

Also Read | Maharashtra Election Results 2024: NDA 200 And Counting, Set To Thump MVA, Record Landslide Win In Maharashtra

The writing was on the wall as despite claims of anti-incumbency, the voters came out in hordes to cast their ballot for the ruling party. As per Election Commission of India (ECI) data, 66.05 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the single-phase election, up from 61.1 per cent recorded in 2019.

In the opposition’s MVA combine, the Congress fielded 101 candidates, Shiv Sena (UBT) 95, and NCP (SP) put up 86 candidates. Parties like Bahujan Samaj Party and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM), also contested, with BSP fielding 237 candidates and AIMIM putting up 17 candidates.

Mumbai:

Zeeshan Siddique, the NCP candidate from Bandra East, voted today in the Maharashtra Assembly elections and said that it was the first time he came to a polling booth without his father Baba Siddique. Mr Siddique, a prominent NCP leader and former minister, was gunned down on October 12 near his son’s office by attackers allegedly linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

“For the first time, I have come alone to vote. My father is no more. This is different but this will have to be done. I know that my father is with me. I started my day by visiting the graveyard in the morning…I think everyone must vote,” Zeeshan Siddique said. 

#WATCH | “For the first time, I have come alone to vote. My father (Baba Siddiqui) is no more. This is different but this will have to be done”: Zeeshan Siddique

Video courtesy: ANI/X#Babasiddique#ZeeshanSiddique#MaharahstraElection2024pic.twitter.com/Ibfs5dWvWR

— NDTV (@ndtv) November 20, 2024

The 32-year-old former Congress leader faces Varun Sardesai, Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray’s nephew, in a high-stakes battle in Bandra East. Zeeshan Siddique joined the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the NCP in October. Mr Siddique will defend the Bandra East seat he won in the 2019 election when he was with the Congress.

Maharashtra’s single-phase assembly elections saw polling begin at 7 am across 288 constituencies, with voting set to conclude at 6 pm. Over 9.7 crore voters are registered to choose among 4,136 candidates contesting this year, marking a 28 per cent rise from 2019’s 3,239 candidates.

The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance and the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) are vying for control of the assembly. The Mahayuti includes the BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), while the MVA brings together the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction).

Key figures in the elections include Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, contesting from Baramati against his nephew Yugendra Pawar, marking another compelling electoral contest.

Mumbai:

Security has been ramped up in Mumbai ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly Election, to ensure a smooth and secure voting process. The police are checking vehicles and have made elaborate arrangements to maintain law and order in the city.

Visuals from the Dharavi area, the early morning show security arrangements.

The voting will begin at 7 am and will end at 6 pm.

This election marks a significant moment in Maharashtra’s political landscape, being the first assembly polls after the split in Shiv Sena and NCP. The contest has intensified, with the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) locking horns across constituencies.

Key leaders in the fray include Chief Minister Eknath Shinde from Kopri-Pachpakhadi, where he faces Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Kedar Prakash Dighe. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is contesting from his stronghold, Nagpur South West, against Congress’ Prafulla Gudadhe.

Meanwhile, NCP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar is vying to retain Baramati, a traditional stronghold of the Pawar family, against Yungendra Pawar of NCP (SP).

In Mumbai, Aditya Thackeray of Shiv Sena (UBT) is seeking re-election from Worli in a Sena vs Sena contest against Shiv Sena’s Milind Deora. Similarly, Amit Thackeray of MNS faces a triangular battle in Mahim against Shiv Sena’s Sada Sarvankar and Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Mahesh Sawant.

Polling across 288 assembly seats in the state will be watched closely, with several constituencies throwing up intriguing battles. Voter turnout remains a critical focus, with both the Election Commission and local initiatives urging citizens to exercise their franchise.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

The enforcement agencies have seized over Rs 1,000 crore worth of cash, liquor and other inducements in the ongoing elections in Maharashtra, Jharkhand and across 14 states where bypolls are being held, the Election Commission said Monday.

Out of Rs 1,000 crore, 858 crores has been seized from Maharashtra and Jharkhand, which is 7 times the seizures done during the assembly elections in 2019, the poll body said.

In 2019 assembly elections, Maharashtra recorded seizures worth Rs. 103.61 crore while for Jharkhand it was Rs. 18.76 crore.

The second round of voting in Jharkhand will take place on November 20. Maharashtra will vote on the same day. The votes for both states will be counted on November 23.

“In Maharashtra, seizures were recorded in all cohorts across all districts, much higher than previous assembly elections. A few noteworthy operations included seizure of Rs. 3.70 crore of cash from a suspicious Jeep in Wada police station area in Palghar District. In another noteworthy incident, in Jamod AC of Buldhana district, 4500 kg of Ganja plants worth Rs 4.51 crore were seized. In Raigad, Rs. 5.20 crore worth of silver bars were seized,” said the poll body.

The poll body said it focus on curbing the role of money power in the elections has resulted in increased volume of seizures.

Chief Election Officer Rajiv Kumar has directed all officials and observers to continue strict watch over next two days and curb distribution of any inducements till polling is complete.

“Jharkhand also witnessed record seizures and this time focus was also to curb illicit mining activities which resulted in seizures of illegal mining materials and machines involved. In a single incident, Rs. 2.26 crore worth of illegal mining material was seized in Rajmahal AC in Sahibganj district and many such actions included seizures related to illegal mining activities,” read the statement.

In Daltonganj, 687 kg of poppy straw was seized, while in Hazaribagh 48.18 Kg of Marijuana was seized, said the Commission.

In Rajasthan, 449 cartons of liquor consignment, hidden behind many layers of boxes of potatoes, was seized at Nagaur while in transit from one neighbouring state to another, said the poll body.

“The surge in seizures involves an extensive monitoring process, which starts months before the announcement of elections. It included an array of activities like sensitising and reviewing enforcement agencies for more coordinated and comprehensive monitoring, marking of expenditure sensitive constituencies, ensuring adequate field teams, training on expenditure monitoring systems and appointment of experienced officers as Expenditure Observers,” said the poll body.

The poll body said the seizures were also the result of investments made in information technology.

“Information Technology is also heavily used through inhouse software ESMS (Election Seizure Management System) for real-time monitoring and sharing of information amongst multiple agencies for a wider deterrence,” it said.
 

Mumbai:

Reeling off numbers, veteran Congress leader P Chidambaram on Saturday aimed to puncture the ruling Maharashtra coalition’s claim that the financial capital of the country remains the foremost destination for attracting highest number of investments.

“We can’t look at one parameter and say Maharashtra is doing well. It is a number of parameters over a period of time to decide whether the state is growing or sliding. I have with me data which shows that the growth of the state GDP has declined from 2022-2023 to 2023-2024. Similarly, revenue deficit has ballooned, fiscal deficit has ballooned, agricultural growth, services sector growth, transport, trade, communications growth and construction growth have all fallen sharply as much as 3% to 7-8%,” the former Union Finance Minister, in Mumbai ahead of the state polls, told NDTV.

Maharashtra goes to polls on November 20. The votes will be counted on November 23.

“The GEP (Gross Ecosystem Product) itself has declined from 9.4% to 7.6%. If this is the path Maharashtra is economy is going in, how can you say that Maharashtra is growing economically,” Mr Chidambaram asked.

Gross Ecosystem Product (GEP) is an index that measures the economic value of nature’s contributions to human well-being. It is modeled after the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and is used to help achieve sustainable development by moving beyond conventional economic measures.

“We are only talking about economically. It is not growing. It is slipping and as a result of that there’s massive unemployment,” he said.

Asserting that talk of the state facing a “mountain of debt” was a myth, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said Maharashtra’s economy is worth Rs 40 lakh crore, of which just Rs 6-6.5 lakh crore constitutes debt.

Asked about the ruling coalition and its $1 trillion economy promise for Maharashtra, Mr Chidambaram underlined that the important question to ask is “when”, adding that without a set timeframe it is a “meaningless statement”.

“$1 trillion is a goalpost. As meaningless as the Union of India’s goalpost of $5trillion. You will reach the goalpost whether there’s a government or not. Whether you grow at 3% or 5% or 8% or 10%. If you grow, you will reach the goalpost,” said the 79-year-old Congress leader.

Elaborating on it, the Congress leader said if you go from Mumbai to Pune, you will reach Pune whether you fly or drive or go in a bullock cart or go on a cycle or go walking. The point, said the Congress leader, is when.

“The central government has shifted the $5trillion goalpost 3-4 times. Now it is somewhere in 2026-2027 or 2027-2028. If anybody claims I will reach $1trllion, you must say when. They don’t say when. It’s like saying my child will grow to 3 feet. Every child will grow to 3 feet. My child will grow to 4 feet, of course a 3-foot high child will grow to 4 feet . It’s a meaningless statement,” said Mr Chidambaram.

On Friday, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw slammed the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi, saying that it is an ‘aghadi’ that stops ‘vikas’ (development). He also claimed that only the BJP and Mahyuti government can make Maharashtra a one trillion-dollar economy.

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has targeted Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over his “vote jihad” remarks, claiming the BJP leader’s (ideological) ancestors wrote “love letters” to the British instead of fighting against them.

During a public meeting here on Sunday, Mr Owaisi also alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Ek Hai to Safe Hai” slogan goes against the diversity ethos.

Mr Fadnavis on Saturday claimed “vote jihad” had begun in poll-bound Maharashtra, which should be countered by “Dharma yuddha” of vote. He had mentioned the BJP’s narrow loss in Dhule Lok Sabha constituency.

Countering him, Mr Owaisi said, “Our ancestors did jihad against the British and Fadnavis is now teaching us about jihad. (PM) Narendra Modi, (Union minister) Amit Shah, and Devendra Fadnavis together cannot defeat me in a debate.”

Mr Owaisi claimed the “dharmayuddha-jihad” remarks amounted to poll code violation.

“From where did ‘vote jihad and dharmayuddha’ come in democracy? You purchased MLAs; should we call you a thief?” the Hyderabad MP questioned.

While Mr Fadnavis talks about (vote) jihad, his hero was writing “love letters” to the British, whereas “our freedom fighters did not negotiate with the foreign rulers,” he said.

“We gave the method of fighting against the British. He (Fadnavis) said ‘vote jihad’ after they (BJP) didn’t get votes in Malegaon (during Lok Sabha election). When they fail to get votes, they call it jihad. They lost in Ayodhya. How did that happen”? Mr Owaisi questioned.

“Our ancestors did jihad against Britishers, not yours. Fadnavis, whose ancestors were writing love letters to the British, will teach us jihad?” he added in a veiled attack on Hindutva ideologues revered by the BJP.

PM Modi says ‘Ek Hai to Safe Hai’ because they (BJP) want to end the diversity of this country, the AIMIM leader said, adding the Maratha community was betrayed by rulers who failed to give them reservation.

Mr Owaisi claimed many industrial projects went to Gujarat but Mr Fadnavis showed no courage to stop them. “Was he afraid of Narendra Modi?” he asked.

Referring to a controversy over Hindutva seer Ramgiri Maharaj’s statements, Mr Owaisi said remarks against the Prophet won’t be tolerated.

He appealed to people to come out to vote on November 20. “Our victory in Aurangabad will be saluted by the people of India,” he added.

Mr Owaisi addressed a public meeting in Jinsi area of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in support of AIMIM candidates Imtiaz Jaleel (Aurangabad East) and Naser Siddiqui (Aurangabad Central) for the November 20 assembly elections.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

On the Maha Vikas Agahdi’s side, Congress Maharashtra chief Nana Patole, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule, Congress leader and ex-Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, will discuss the MVA’s tussle for Chief Minister candidate, battlegrounds Baramati, Mumbai and common minimum programme for the MVA. Representing the farmers of Maharashtra, All India Kisan Sabha National President Ashok Dhawale will speak on the poll issues plaguing the community.

Kalidas Kolambkar, an eight-time Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly (MLA), exuded confidence in the forthcoming Maharashtra assembly elections. File
| Photo Credit: Vivek Bendre

Kalidas Kolambkar, an eight-time Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly (MLA), exuded confidence in the forthcoming Maharashtra assembly elections, stating that he aims to enter the Guinness Book of World Records by winning his ninth consecutive term since 1990.

“I’ve been an MLA for eight terms and will break this trend and enter the Guinness Book Record after winning my ninth consecutive term,” Mr. Kolambkar said.

When asked what were his expectations while contesting the election for the 9th term and after remaining undefeated in Maharashtra polls, Mr. Kolambkar said, “In politics, nothing is surprising. If you approach politics commercially, it’s tough, but if you do it wholeheartedly, serving the people, they’ll surely elect you again.”

“In my area, Wadala-Naigaon constituency history shows that once an MLA is chosen, they rarely get re-elected. But I’ve been MLA for nine terms, breaking this trend. This time, I will win my ninth term and enter the Guinness Book Record,” said Mr. Kolambkar.

BJP has fielded Kalidas Kolambkar from the Wadala seat in Mumbai.

From Shiv Sena to Congress to BJP, Mr, Kolambkar has changed parties and constituencies but has not lost a single election since 1990.

Mr. Kolambkar said, “Since Balasaheb Thackeray was there, I have worked in Shiv Sena. My parents gave birth to me, but he gave birth to politics in my life and was my political guru. Narayan Rane and I worked day and night to take Shiv Sena forward. Shiv Sena was a party like gold but these people did not know how to handle the party, that was a big mistake. It is not good to say too much because that party gave birth to me and this is my principle.”

“In 2019, when I joined the BJP to address the needs of my constituents, the then Maharashtra Chief Minister completed important projects in my area, including the redevelopment of BDD Chawl and the police housing colony, along with mill workers’ wages. These initiatives continue to benefit the people of Maharashtra today,” he said.

Mr. Kolambkar’s journey into politics began in 1985 as a corporator. Before that, he worked as a calendar operator at Modi Store in Mumbai.

The Maharashtra Assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, with the counting of votes for all 288 constituencies set to take place on November 23.

The opposition alliance MVA, comprising of Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), aims to regain power in the state against the Mahayuti alliance, which includes Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Ajit Pawar-led NCP.

Nagpur:

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday declared movable and immovable assets worth Rs 13,27,47,728 in the affidavit filed along with his nomination papers from Nagpur South West seat for the November 20 assembly polls.

As per his tax return forms, his total income stood at Rs 79,30,402 in 2023-24, while it was Rs 92,48,094 in 2022-23.

Devendra Fadnavis declared movable assets of Rs 56,07,867 in his name, Rs 6,96,92,748 in his wife Amruta Fadnavis’ name as well as Rs 10,22,113 in his daughter’s name.

As per his poll affidavit, the senior BJP leader has Rs 23,500 cash in hand, while this figure is Rs 10,000 in the case of his wife.

His deposits in bank accounts, including term deposits and deposits in financial institutions, NBFCs and cooperative societies, is Rs 2,28,760, while that of his wife stands at Rs 1,43,717.

Devendra Fadnavis has not invested in bonds, debentures, shares and mutual funds but has invested Rs 20,70,607 in NSS, postal savings, insurance policies and financial instruments.

His wife has invested Rs 5,62,59,031 in bonds, debentures, shares and mutual funds, as per the affidavit.

Devendra Fadnavis has declared that he has 450 grams gold ornaments worth Rs 32,85,000, while this figure is Rs 65,70,000 (900 grams) for his wife.

The Deputy CM has declared immovable assets of Rs 4,68,96,000 in his name, including agricultural land in Chandrapur, residential building in Dharampeth in Nagpur and several other properties and Rs 95,29,000 in the name of his wife.

Devendra Fadnavis has taken loan of Rs 62,00,000 from his wife and has no other loans from banks or financial institutions or pending dues.

He and his wife do not have any vehicle registered in their names.

The senior BJP leader has mentioned that he has four FIRs and four pending cases against his name. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Mumbai:

Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Wednesday said Chief Minister Eknath Shinde should be willing to make “sacrifices”, in terms of seat-sharing for the assembly polls, like the BJP has done to keep the alliance intact.

The comments come a day after the Election Commission announced the schedule for polls to 288 seats in the state assembly.

Voting is scheduled on November 20 and the counting will take place on November 23.

“Chief Minister Eknath Shinde must remain open-minded and be willing to make sacrifices. We, too, have made sacrifices to uphold the alliance. It is evident that the BJP aims to contest the seats we previously held,” Mr Bawankule told ABP Majha news channel in Nagpur.

As the dominant party in the alliance, it is only natural for the BJP to seek more seats, he said.

Read | On Seat Sharing, Maharashtra’s Ruling Alliance Nears Finishing Line: Sources

Asked if Union Home Minister Amit Shah reportedly stated that the BJP “sacrificed” the Chief Minister’s post while forging an alliance with Shinde-led Shiv Sena, Mr Bawankule said, “I do not know what Union minister Amit Shah said to Shinde. It is true that the chief minister holds the highest position and represents the government.”

He said they have urged Mr Shinde that as the larger party, BJP should have a bigger share for contesting seats. It is impossible to measure who made greater “sacrifices”, the BJP leader said.

“As the chief minister, he could have expected more seats to contest in the assembly polls. However, it is not feasible to enter the elections with tension within the alliance. Our stance is that we should be able to contest the seats we have previously won,” Bawankule said.

There is no point in demanding more seats to contest for the sake of numbers, he said.

Asked about the agenda of BJP leaders’ meeting in New Delhi scheduled on Wednesday, Mr Bawankule said, “We will discuss the candidates and the seats we want to contest. There are some seats that we lost by a thin margin in the 2019 assembly elections.”

Read | Shivaji, 2022 Coup In Key Sena vs Sena Rallies Ahead Of Maharashtra Polls

There will not be any discussion on the seats won by the Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar-headed NCP in today’s meeting, he said.

The BJP has conducted a detailed survey for Maharashtra and based on it, the discussion will take place in Delhi, he added.

On the possibility of swapping some seats with the alliance partners, Mr Bawankule said, “We may consider swapping a few seats with Shiv Sena. Additionally, there are strong candidates from both BJP and NCP, as the NCP contested against us in the 2019 assembly polls. We need more time to take a final decision in this matter.”

Mr Bawankule, who is a member of the state legislative council, also said he would not seek a ticket from the party.

“I won the Kamthi assembly seat in 2014 but the party asked me not to contest the 2019 polls. I have been working as the BJP state president since some time. The party will take a final decision on whether I should contest the election or not. The BJP will win the Kamthi seat irrespective of the candidate,” he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)