With the voting concluded in Maharashtra and Jharkhand and EVM and VVPAT being sealed and secured for the November 23 counting day, the focus shifts to what exit polls predict for the states. NDA is likely to form government in Maharashtra and Jharkhand, while exit polls predict setbacks for the INDIA alliance.

According to exit polls, the Mahayuti alliance (BJP, Ajit Pawar’s NCP and Shiv Sena (Shinde) will cross the majority mark with 150-160 seats in Maharashtra, while Maha Vikas Aghadi (Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and Sharad Pawar’s NCP) at 110-120.

In Jharkhand, the BJP-led alliance is likely to snatch away power from the JMM-led alliance, as per the exit polls, projecting 44-53 for NDA and  25-30 for the Opposition INDIA.

A gentle reminder on the exit polls prediction that in recent Assembly elections in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir, the results turned out completely different and surprising from what was being predicted.

In Jharkhand, the BJP contested on 68 seats, All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) 10 seats, Janata Dal (United) 2 seats, and the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) 1 seat, while Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) of Chief Minister Hemant Soren contested in 41 seats, Congress 30 seats, RJD 6 seats, and Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) 4 seats.

In Maharashtra, under Mahayuti, the BJP contested in 149 constituencies, Shiv Sena in 81, and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP fielded 59 candidates, while under MVA, Congress contested in 101 seats, Shiv Sena (UBT) 95, and NCP (SP) fielded 86 candidates.

“Who can be a bigger surveyor in Jharkhand than us? We have been in Jharkhand for the last 3 months. We have seen how people wished for change. I am sure that the people have voted for BJP-NDA. We are going to form the government with a huge mandate,” said Union Minister and BJP’s Jharkhand election-incharge Shivraj Singh Chouhan on exit polls prediction.

“As per the trends that we have received from several agencies, BJP-led NDA has an edge in the state and we will form the government,” said state BJP chief Babulal Marandi.

“The trends are in favour of the Maha Vikas Aghadi and we will win more than 175 seats in the state,” said state Congress chief Nana Patole.

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi lauded the move to make law for the welfare of gig workers by the Telangana government.

In a letter to Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, Gandhi urged the Chief Minister to conduct state-wide public consultations for the draft legislation.

The former Congress chief said he was impressed, during his recent visit to Hyderabad, by the vibrant public consultative process for the socio-economic, educational, employment, political and caste survey (ongoing in the state).

“I request you to conduct similar state-wide public consultations for the draft legislation for gig workers as well. Hearing from all parties will ensure that the law is robust, effective and meaningful. The process can also help anchor future regulations for this sector,” he said.

“I would be happy to be a part of the consultative process,” the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha said. He expressed confidence that Telangana would lead the way in building a sustainable gig economy for the future.

Noting that the Indian National Congress stands for the well-being of workers, especially in contractual roles, he said the party’s manifesto committed to framing a law to protect gig workers and enhance social security.

The Congress-ruled governments have taken several steps in this direction, with the Congress dispensation in Rajasthan becoming the first state to legislate the welfare of gig workers, he said.

Reddy assured Gandhi that the state’s gig workers policy would be made comprehensive, inclusive and fair in line with the latter’s “vision and promise”.

The Telangana Chief Minister posted on social media platform X a letter (dated November 11) sent to him by Gandhi with his suggestion.

“Dear @RahulGandhi Ji, All of our work is inspired by your vision, ideas and work. It gives us more energy that the Telangana Caste Survey has made you feel proud,” Reddy said.  

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Wednesday slammed Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the deteriorating law and order situation in the capital and said the BJP-ruled central government has only one job in Delhi which is to maintain law and order but it has completely failed.

The Chief Minister said Delhi has become the crime capital. This comes after Atishi met the parents of a 28-year-old man, who was killed in northeast Delhi’s Sunder Nagari last week.

In a post on X, the Delhi CM said overtly firing, extortion and murder have become a daily affair in the capital, but instead of addressing such issues, the Home Minister is busy in election rallies.

Recently, a 28-year-old youth was murdered in broad daylight in Sunder Nagari, she said.

“Today I met the family of the deceased and consoled them. The Delhi government will provide a financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh to the family of the deceased,” the CM said.

“Amit Shah ji: Instead of doing politics, fulfill your responsibility of managing the security of Delhi. Due to your failure, Delhi has become the crime capital,” the senior AAP leader said.

The Chief Minister also announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the affected family.

According to reports, a 28-year-old man died after he was stabbed in the neck on Friday night allegedly by two brothers, minutes after the victim and his relative rebuked and stopped the duo from harassing a woman at Sunder Nagri in northeast Delhi. The police had arrested both accused after the murder.

Speaking to reporters, Atishi said Delhi has become gangster capital as criminals, extortionists, and goons have no fear left, adding they feel they can open fire, kill someone, stab someone but the police won’t do anything.

“I want to know from the country’s Home Minister Amit Shah that when Delhi’s law and order come under him then what he is doing for the people of Delhi? The condition of law and order is deteriorating. Extortion and murders are happening everyday, however, the home minister has no work other than election campaigning,” she said.