Assembly Elections 2024 | Key takeaways from Maharashtra and Jharkhand poll results

While the BJP-led Maha Yuti is leading in Maharashtra, a comeback looks likely for the JMM-led I.N.D.I.A. bloc in Jharkhand

The Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly election results will be announced today, making clear who will rule these two states that will round off an election-heavy year in the country.

After debacles in the Lok Sabha and the recently concluded Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana polls, exit polls have finally been able to make a right prediction this time around. Most exit polls gave the BJP-led Maha Yuti an edge in the Maharashtra polls, and the alliance is all set for a landslide win in the western state.

In Jharkhand, the JMM-led I.N.D.I.A. bloc is firmly ahead of the NDA, and it looks like they will hold on to power for five more years in the tribal-dominated eastern state.

Here are some key takeaways from the assembly election results so far:

BJP has learnt its lesson from the Lok Sabha elections

After failing to perform as per expectations in the Lok Sabha elections that took place earlier this year, the BJP has now made a decisive turnaround and put public sentiment in their favour once again, as is being seen in their electoral gains in Haryana, Maharashtra.

Echoing this sentiment, Devendra Fadnavis posted on X, "Modi hai toh mumkin hai," as soon as it came to light that the alliance forged by him will continue ruling the cash-rich state.

I.N.D.I.A. fails to capitalise on their LS poll momentum

The I.N.D.I.A. bloc, on the other hand, had raised optimism across their party lines and ranks after performing better than expected in the Lok Sabha polls. Even in Maharashtra, where the Maha Yuti is headed for a historic win, the MVA partners are performing worse than their LS poll results. Has I.N.D.I.A. lost the plot once again?

Ladki Bahin scheme pays off

Freebie culture has paid rich dividends to political parties in the recent elections across the nation. While Congress roared back to power in Karnataka based on their five guarantees, now, the Maha Yuti is likely to reap benefits of their Ladki Bahin scheme.

Before the polls, incumbent Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde had promised that the monthly amount women receive under this scheme would be hiked to Rs 2,100 per month. This has surely gone a long way in consolidating female votes for the ruling alliance in Maharashtra.

Soon after it became clear that the Maha Yuti will continue to rule Maharashtra for the next five years, incumbent CM Eknath Shinde acknowledged the importance of the scheme, saying, "I thank all my ladki bahins (dear sisters) in the state and the brothers who voted in large numbers for us. The voting trend is an endorsement of our work."

Jharkhand's picture remains the same

The political landscape of Jharkhand is likely to remain the same this time around as well. In the 2019 elections, the BJP was behind the JMM by five seats (25 to JMM's 33). This time around, the JMM+ alliance is once again looking to hold on to power, but the BJP has not lost its support base in the state, leading in 21 seats currently.

The saffron party once again remains the second-largest party in the Jharkhand Assembly after JMM. The Congress is leading in 17 seats.

I.N.D.I.A. bloc members again cry foul

The MVA alliance in Maharashtra has been routed in the assembly elections, which has led to strong reactions from their leaders. Sanjay Raut of the Shiv Sena (UBT) has smelt conspiracy in how the BJP has won more seats that the Shinde-led Sena and Ajit-led NCP.

"I see a big conspiracy in this...This is not a mandate of Marathi 'manoos' and farmers. We do not accept this as people's mandate,” he said.

Adding that there was little doubt in his mind that money was used in the polls, Raut said, "How can all MLAs of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde win? How can Ajit Pawar, whose betrayal angered Maharashtra, win?"

Regarding the Uttar Pradesh bypoll results, UP Congress chief Ajai Rai said "This is a complete murder of democracy" after the grand old party failed to come out on top in any of the seats today. However, Rai was happy with the Jharkhand result, saying that the victory came because the JMM-Cong government "did good work" in Jharkhand.

This trend of the I.N.D.I.A. members was also seen after the Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. While they were happy with the J&K poll results in which jointly won, senior Congress leaders alleged EVM manipulation after the BJP roared back to power in Haryana.

Maharashtra Assembly poll 2024 results| Check constituency results here

Jharkhand Assembly poll 2024 results| Check constituency results here

Bypoll 2024 results | Check Karnataka results here

Assembly Elections 2024 | The Maharashtra Assembly polls will take place against the backdrop of a fractured political landscape in the western state where the Shiv Sena and NCP will be going up against the Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar factions, even as the BJP and Congress try to make their mark. Meanwhile, in Jharkhand, the JMM faces a new challenge after Hemant Soren's recent arrest and Champai, a longstanding party member, joining the BJP. The Haryana election resulted in a shock loss for Congress, which was looking to galvanize on the Lok Sabha poll performance, while J&K also saw the grand old party eventually stepping away from the cabinet, with Omar Abdullah's JKNC forming government. It remains to be seen if the upcoming polls help BJP cement its position further or provide a fillip to I.N.D.I.A. Check live updates and track the latest coverage, live news, in-depth opinions, and analyses only on Deccan Herald.

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