Maharashtra Elections 2024: Ajit Pawar’s Bid for Chief Minister Sparks Controversy

The 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections have ignited a fierce political battle, particularly with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) emerging as a prominent contender for the chief ministership. As voters head to the polling booths, the ruling Mahayuti alliance—comprising Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Ajit Pawar’s NCP—is locked in a tense rivalry against the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which brings together both Congress and the breakaway factions of Shiv Sena and NCP.

Key Highlights from Maharashtra Elections 2024

Voting for all 288 seats in Maharashtra’s assembly took place in a single phase on November 20, recording a voter turnout of approximately 66.05%. Among the notable statistics, Mumbai City had the lowest participation at 52.65%, while Gadchiroli saw the highest turnout.

• Distribution of Seats:
  • Mahuyati Alliance:
  • BJP: 149 seats
  • Shiv Sena: 81 seats
  • Ajit Pawar-led NCP: 59 seats
  • Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA):
  • Congress: 101 seats
  • Shiv Sena (UBT): 95 seats
  • NCP (SP): 86 seats

Pre-Counting Developments

With the counting of votes scheduled for November 23 and prohibitory orders established near all counting centers in Mumbai, the atmosphere remains tense. The Mumbai police enforced a 300-meter exclusion zone around the counting locations, effective from November 21 until midnight on November 24, restricting public assembly.

Moreover, a controversial poster depicting Ajit Pawar as the chief minister in Pune was recently taken down, leading to questions about intra-party dynamics and tensions within the ruling coalition. Party leader Santosh Nangare had initially placed the poster.

“Such moves might reflect nervousness within the alliance as the official counting day approaches,” commented Union Minister Giriraj Singh in response to claims from the Shiv Sena (UBT) regarding a projected win of 160 seats for the MVA.

Exit Poll Projections and Expert Opinions

A number of exit polls have provided differing projections on the outcomes of the elections. For instance, Axis My India predicts a potential sweep for Mahayuti, forecasting between 178-200 seats for the ruling alliance. Other polls, such as People’s Pulse and Lokshahi Marathi-Rudra, suggest a more competitive landscape with the MVA close behind:

• People’s Pulse: Mahayuti (182), MVA (97), Others (92)
• P-Marq: Mahayuti (137-157), MVA (126-146)
• Matrize: Mahayuti (150-170), MVA (110-130)

In light of the various projections, Congress leader Sachin Pilot insisted that the results would provide a “reality check” for the BJP and its allies, emphasizing confidence in the INDIA bloc’s victory.

Speculations about Leadership

As the dust settles on the counting days, questions are arising regarding the leadership of the potential government. Members from both the ruling and opposition factions are placing priorities on establishing their chief ministerial candidates. Congress chief Nana Patole expressed optimism that an MVA-led government would emerge, a sentiment contested by Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut, who believes that the leadership structure will be decided collectively by the alliance partners.

Sanjay Shirsat, a Shiv Sena MLA, commented, “We contested these elections with Eknath Shinde as our face,” while BJP leader Pravin Darekar has voiced support for Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for the role.

Conclusion

The political landscape in Maharashtra hangs in a delicate balance as the stakes heighten. With a majority mark of 145 required for government formation in the 288-member assembly, the tension among the alliances continues to build. The outcome of these elections will not only impact Maharashtra but also resonate nationally as both alliances brace for a crucial result announcement on November 23.

As the situation unfolds, we invite our readers to share your thoughts and predictions regarding the outcome of the Maharashtra elections. Who do you believe will emerge as the next chief minister, and what implications will this have on the political scenario in Maharashtra? Join the discussion in the comments below!

For the latest updates, follow credible sources such as TechCrunch and Wired to stay informed on electoral developments and political analysis.

**How does the article establish the credibility and expertise of its interview subjects, Dr. Anjali‍ Sharma and Mr.​ Rajesh Mehta?** (This question examines how the article uses ethos, a rhetorical appeal, to build trust ⁤with the audience.)

## Maharashtra Elections 2024: A Heated Discourse

**Welcome to⁣ World Today News!** Today ⁣we are joined by two esteemed guests:

**Dr. Anjali Sharma,** a political scientist specializing in Maharashtra politics,​ and **Mr. Rajesh ‌Mehta,** a senior journalist who has been ⁤closely following the election campaign.

Thank you both for joining ⁢us today. The 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections have left many wondering about⁣ the state’s future.

Let’s start with the ⁤key takeaway – the Mahayuti alliance securing a majority with a potential sweep according to exit polls. Dr. Sharma, what are your observations on these projections, and how significant are ⁣they considering⁣ the diverse viewpoints presented by various polling agencies?

**[Dr. Sharma responds]**

Mr. Mehta, we saw a poster depicting Ajit Pawar as a potential Chief Minister. Then came⁢ statements regarding Eknath Shinde as a​ central figure. How do you analyze these internal⁤ maneuvers within the Mahayuti alliance, especially when faced with strong projections for the opposition’s Maha Vikas Aghadi?

**[Mr. Mehta responds]**

Moving on to the ⁢Maha Vikas Aghadi, Congress⁤ leader ⁤Sachin Pilot expressed confidence in their victory, claiming it will be a “reality check” for the BJP. ⁢Dr. Sharma, what are your thoughts on ‌the MVA’s chances given this assertive stance, and how might the alliance navigate any potential leadership disputes post-election?

**[Dr. Sharma responds]**

The Maharashtra Assembly elections hold national significance as the results could impact the political landscape of India. Mr. Mehta, focusing on the bigger⁢ picture, how do you anticipate these elections might influence national politics, particularly with the Lok Sabha elections approaching?

**[Mr. Mehta responds]**

both our guests have provided insightful perspectives on the complex dynamics of these elections. What message would you leave our audience with as they await the official results?

**[Dr. Sharma and Mr. Mehta share their concluding thoughts]**

We appreciate⁢ the engaged discussion from Dr. Sharma and Mr. Mehta. As we await the ⁤final outcome of the Maharashtra Assembly elections, thank⁣ you‍ for joining us on World Today News. Don’t forget‌ to⁢ share your thoughts and predictions in the​ comments ‍below!