Mumbai: The counting of votes is underway for the Maharashtra Assembly election today. According to the early trends till 10.30am, Mahayuti has crossed the majority mark (177) and is ahead in 219 seats, while the MVA has a lead in 55.
Other parties have managed to forge an early lead in 13 seats. The BJP-led Mahayuti coalition is hoping to secure another term, while the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance aims for a comeback.
This is the first battle of alliances in Maharashtra post the splits – the Sena (in 2022) and later the NCP (in 2023).
According to the early trends, the BJP is leading in 125 seats, Shiv Sena in 55 seats, NCP in 35 seats and the Congress on 21 seats.
The exit polls suggest a closely fought contest with no clear winner in sight, reported the Indian Express. While the Mahayuti is projected to secure 118 to 175 seats, the MVA trails with an estimated 69 to 122 seats.
Three surveys indicate the possibility of a hung assembly, the Indian Express reported.
Biggies who are trailing right now:
- Ajit Pawar: Latest trends show NCP’s Ajit Pawar is trailing from Baramati. His nephew Yugendra Pawar is leading. However, these are early trends and it may change later on.
- Nana Patole: Congress leader Nana Patole is trailing as counting continues in Sakoli. BJP’s Avinash Brahmankar is leading as per latest trends.
- Zeeshan Siddique: Zeeshan Siddique, son of NCP leader Baba Siddique is trailing from Bandra East. The NCP candidate in Bandra East is trailing behind Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Varun Sardesai. Siddique joined NCP recently, shortly after his father Baba Siddique’s death.
As Mahayuti has crossed the halfway mark in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena UBT leader Sanjay Raut said, “From what we are seeing, it seems that something is wrong. This was not the decision of the public. Everyone will understand what is wrong here. What did they (Mahayuti) do that they are getting more than 120 seats? How is it that MVA is getting not even 75 seats in Maharashtra?”