Exit polls predict Mahayuti win in Maharashtra, NDA in Jharkhand
As many as four pollsters have predicted a win for the Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra, while three have predicted a win for the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Jharkhand. People's Pulse has predicted 175-195 out of the 288 seats for Mahayuti, Matrize 150-170, P-Marq 137-157 seats, and Lokshahi-Marathi Rudra Survey 128-142 seats. In Jharkhand, Times Now JVC has predicted 40-44 seats out of 81 for NDA, People's Pulse 44-53, Matrize 42-47, and Axis My India 25 seats.
What's the prediction for the opposition
In comparison, Chanakya Strategies has predicted 130-138 seats for the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in Maharashtra. Dainik Bhaskar has predicted 135-150, Lokshahi-Marathi Rudra 125-140, and Matrize 110-130. In Jharkhand, Axis My India has predicted 53 seats for the Hemant Soren-led alliance, Dainik Bhaskar 36-39, Matrize 25-30, and People's Pulse 25-37 seats.
Major parties in the fray
The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance aims to retain power in Maharashtra, while the MVA is seeking a comeback. A total of 4,136 candidates, including 2,086 independents, contested the elections. The BJP fielded candidates in 149 seats, Shiv Sena in 81, and Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party in 59 constituencies. The Congress contested 101 seats, Shiv Sena (UBT) 95, and NCP (SP) 86. Smaller parties like the Bahujan Samaj Party and the AIMIM are also in the fray.
Maharashtra sees over 58% voter turnout, Jharkhand 68%
Voting for the high-stakes Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly elections concluded around 6:00pm on Wednesday. The 288-member Maharashtra assembly voted in a single phase, whereas Jharkhand voted in two phases; 38 of the 81 seats voted on Wednesday. The tribal-dominated state held its first phase of elections for 43 seats on November 13. The voter turnout in Maharashtra stood at 58.22% at 5:00pm, while Jharkhand recorded a 67.59% voter turnout.
