Mahayuti set for landslide victory in Maharashtra assembly elections
As the counting of votes in the Maharashtra assembly elections progresses, the Mahayuti Alliance is on track for a landslide victory, defying predictions of a close contest. Early leads indicate a decisive mandate for the Mahayuti coalition, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), and the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
Of the 288 assembly seats in Maharashtra, the Mahayuti is currently leading in 218 seats, the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in 58, and other candidates in 12 seats.
Exit polls had largely forecasted a Mahayuti win, though some predicted neither the Mahayuti nor the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) would secure a clear majority. However, the current trends suggest a sweeping win for the ruling coalition.
In this election, the BJP fielded candidates in 148 seats, the highest among Mahayuti partners, while the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) contested 80, and Ajit Pawar's NCP fielded 52 candidates. The alliance also contested six additional seats.
The Opposition MVA had Congress contesting 102 seats, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Bal Thackeray faction) 96, and Sharad Pawar’s NCP 86 seats. Smaller allies of the MVA, including the Samajwadi Party, contested four seats collectively.
This assembly poll marked the first election since the NCP and Shiv Sena split into rival factions. The 2019 results had seen the BJP secure 105 seats, the undivided Shiv Sena 56, the NCP 54, Congress 44, independents 13, and others 16. The splits have brought new dynamics to the contest, with significant stakes for all parties involved.
