Union Minister and senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari on Saturday hailed the BJP-led Mahayuti for the outstanding performance in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, saying the alliance prioritised development under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is all set to retain power in the state and has crossed the majority mark of the 288 Assembly seats, as per the Election Commission of India data. In the Mahayuti, BJP candidates were leading in more than 120 seats, Shiv Sena in 55 and NCP in 38 seats.

Gadkari expressed his confidence that the double-engine government, under the leadership of PM Modi, will accelerate the state’s growth to greater heights.

“I extend my sincere congratulations to PM Narendra Modi Ji, Party President JPNadda Ji, CM Eknath Shinde ji, Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis Ji and AjitPawar Ji, and BJP leaders and Mahayuti Karyakartas for this outstanding achievement,” he said in a post on X.

महाराष्ट्र विधानसभा निवडणुकीत भारतीय जनता पक्ष-महायुतीला मिळालेल्या महाविजयासाठी महाराष्ट्रातील जनतेचे हृदयपूर्वक अभिनंदन आणि मनःपूर्वक आभार! पंतप्रधान श्री @narendramodi जी यांच्या नेतृत्वाखाली भाजप-महायुतीने नेहमीच विकासाला प्राधान्य दिले आहे. महाराष्ट्रातील जनतेच्या आकांक्षा…

— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) November 23, 2024

The senior BJP leader expressed gratitude to voluntary organisations that work tirelessly during polls to raise voter awareness.

“Heartfelt congratulations to the people of Maharashtra for the historic victory of the BJP-Mahayuti alliance in the Assembly elections! Under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi Ji, the BJP-Mahayuti has consistently prioritised the development and remains committed to Maharashtra’s holistic progress and the aspirations of its people,” Gadkari said.

As Mahayutin is set to form a government in the state, BJP workers and supporters celebrate outside the party office in Mumbai.

Shiv Sena (Shinde) chief and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde thanked the people of Maharashtra for the NDA’s landslide victory.

On Mahayuti’s CM face, Shinde said: “All I will say is let the final figures come. After that, all three parties (BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP) will sit, and discuss with seniors, and then a decision will be taken unanimously.”

Posters showing Devendra Fadnavis as next CM emerge in Washim 

Multiple posters showing BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis as the next Chief Minister have emerged in Washim. Devendra Fadnavis is leading in Nagpur South-West constituency by a margin of 24,593 votes against Congress’s Prafulla Vinodrao Gudadhe.

Devendra Fadnavis to be the next CM of Maharashtra, says BJP spokesperson Pravin Darekar

Devendra Fadnavis is likely to be the next Chief Minister of the state, said BJP spokesperson Pravin Darekar. He said that the result has taken BJP by surprise, as they never expected such an overwhelming result.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi thanks people of Maharashtra

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said that the people of Maharashtra have blessed the BJP. He added that if he can put the perspective of what is the overall trend in the country, BJP is doing excellent.

Nawab Malik manages to get 4,214 votes 

NCP (AP) leader Nawab Malik managed to get 4,214 votes after counting in the 9th round. His rival, Samajwadi Party candidate Abu Azmi is leading by 30,734 votes.

Shinde Sena workers celebrate as Mahayuti alliance take massive lead

Shiv Sena workers are celebrating outside Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s residence as the Mahayuti alliance is on its way to a thumping victory in Maharashtra. 

#WATCH | Mumbai | Shiv Sena workers celebrate outside Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde's residence as Mahayuti is on its way to winning with a thumping majority in Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/fiiXK8L3K7

— ANI (@ANI) November 23, 2024

Devendra Fadnavis leads in Nagpur South-West

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is leading by 31, 959 votes against his nearest rival Prafulla Gudhade.

Eknath Shinde takes comfortable lead in Kopri-Pachpakhadi

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is currently leading with 30,629 votes. His nearest rival Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Kedar Sighe only has 7,748 votes.

Kalpana Soren trailing in Gandey

Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren’s wife Kalpana Soren is trailing by 4000 votes to BJP’s Munia Devi.

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan’s daughter leads from Bhokar seat

BJP candidate and daughter of former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, Sreejaya Chavan is leading by 1,878 votes in the Bhokar seat. 

INDIA bloc crosses halfway mark in Jharkhand

According to the Election Commission of India data, the INDIA bloc has crossed the halfway mark of 41 in the Jharkhand Assembly election. 

In Maharashtra, BJP is leading in 115 seats

According to the Election Commission of India data. BJP is leading in 115 seats, Shinde Sena in 56, NCP (AP) in 34, Congress in 20, Shiv Sena (UBT) in 20 and NCP (SP) in 11.

JMM leads in 24 seats, BJP in 22

According to the Election Commission of India, JMM is leading in 24 seats, BJP in 22 and Congress in 11 seats in Jharkhand. 

Hemant Soren leading by 2,812 votes

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren is leading by 2,812 votes from the Barhait Assembly seat after the first round of counting

Congress’s Prithviraj Chavan trailing

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan is trailing by 1,590 votes in Karad South assembly seat.

Former CM Champai Soren leads from Seraikela

BJP candidate and former Chief Minister Champai Soren is leading in Seraikela, situated in the Kolhan region.

Aditya Thackeray leading in Worli

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray is leading against Shinde Sena’s Milind Deora with 4,231 votes.  

NDA crosses halfway mark in Maharashtra

The Mahayuti alliance led by BJP has crossed a halfway mark in Maharashtra. Early trends show Mahayuti leading in 153 votes against opposition MVA’s 97. 

Victory celebrations banned in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar has banned victory processions on Saturday when results of the state assembly elections will be declared. 

Ajit Pawar leads with 8,548 votes

NCP leader Ajit Pawar took the lead with 8,548 votes, against his nephew, Yugendra Pawar, the MVA candidate in Baramati. 

Shinde Sena, NCP (AP) lead in 3 seats each

As per the Election Commission of India, the Shinde Sena and NCP are leading in 3 seats each, while BJP, NCP (SP) leads in one each.

Early trends shows NDA leading in Jharkhand

The BJP-led NDA is ahead with 35 votes against the INDIA bloc’s 31 in Jharkhand. 

Mahayuti leading in MVA stronghold Vidarbha

As per early trends, the Mahayuti alliance is leading in Vidarbha region, which is the stronghold of the opposition MVA. 

Mahayuti ahead in 55 seats

As per early trends, Mahayuti alliance is ahead by 57 votes against opposition MVA’s 28.

NDA ahead in 25 seats in Jharkhand

In the very early trends, the BJP led NDA is leading in 25 seats against INDIA bloc’s 10.

Mahayuti ahead in 25 seats, MVA in 21

In postal ballots, the BJP led Mahayuti alliance is ahead in Maharashtra Addembly election against opposition MVA.  The BJP is leading in 19 seats, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) three, NCP (Ajit Pawar) three. Meanwhile, Congress and NCP (Sharad Pawar) were ahead in eight seats each and Shiv Sena (UBT) in five.

Zeeshan Siddique leading in Bandra East

Zeeshan Siddique, son of NCP leader Baba Siddique who was shot dead in Mumbai last month, is leading from the Bandra East Assembly seat, as per early trends.

MVA collects letter of support from 160 candidates

The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi has collected letter of support from over 160 candidates and some independents, pledging their backing for the alliance in forming a government.

Eknath Shinde leading in Kopri Panchpakhadi

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is leading in Kopri Panchpakhadi constituency. 

Hemant Soren ahead in early trends

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren is leading in the Barhat Assembly seat. Former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi was ahead in Dhanwar. JMM candidate Kalpana Soren is also leading from Gandey.

Ajit Pawar leading in Baramati

Early trends show NCP leader Ajit Pawar leading in Baramari. Devendra Fadnavis leading in Nagpur South West. Congress’s Nana Patole ahead in Sakoli. 

Early trends show BJP leading in Jharkhand

In Jharkhand, BJP is leading in 6 seats, INDIA bloc in 3 seats. These are based on the counting of postal ballots.

Mahayuti takes early lead in Maharashtra

The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance has taken an early lead in Maharashtra with eight votes against the opposition MVA alliance.

Counting of votes begins

The counting of votes began with postal ballots and all eyes are on the battle between the BJP led NDA and INDIA bloc.

The stage is set for the fierce battle between the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance and the INDIA bloc. The NDA will look to retain Maharashtra and claim power in Jharkhand. Meanwhile, the INDIA BLOC will aim to defeat the Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra, while securing victory for Hemant Soren in Jharkhand. 

With the Mahayuti poised for landslide victory in Maharashtra, cracks seem to have surfaced in the alliance over who will be the next CM. The incumbent Mahayuti, comprising BJP, Shinde Sena and NCP (Ajit Pawar) has crossed the majority mark of 145. 

Among 288 assembly seats, BJP is leading in 124 of the 149 seats it contested, signifying a strike rate of 83%. The Shinde Sena is ahead in 55 of the 81 seats it contested, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP leading in 38 seats of 59. This result seems to have led to an infighting in the alliance, with each party expressing desire for its candidate to become the Chief Minister.

While BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis is comfortably leading by 19,854 votes in Nagpur South West, Eknath Shinde holds a commanding lead of 62, 199 in the Kopri-Pachpakhadi, and Ajit Pawar is ahead by 53,502 votes in NCP’s stronghold Baramati. 

As the counting of votes continues, BJP spokesperson Pravin Darekar said that Devendra Fadnavis is likely to be the next chief minister of the state. Fadnavis’ mother, Sarita Fadnavis also asserted that he will be the Chief Minister. She added that her son has emerged as the prominent leader of the state. Nonetheless, the BJP leader himself maintained silence over the top post. Reacting to the results, he took to X, praising Narendra Modi and echoing his slogan EK hai toh safe hai. Earlier in June, Fadnavis had offered to resign from Deputy CM’s post, taking responsibility for the party’s setback in the Lok Sabha elections.

एक है तो ‘सेफ’ है !
मोदी है तो मुमकिन हैं ! #Maharashtra #महाराष्ट्र

— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) November 23, 2024

Another Chief Ministerial face in the Mahayuti alliance, Eknath Shine said that the results are the reflection of the hard work they have done in the past 2.5 years. He expressed gratitude to the people of the state, adding that the mandate is a big responsibility and they are committed to fulfilling it. Notably, the incumbent CM in 2022 orchestrated a rebellion in Shiv Sena, and joined hands with the BJP to become the CM. Speaking on the Chief Minister’s post, Eknath Shinde said that after the final results come in, all three parties will come together to discuss and decide who will be the next CM. 

Meanwhile, Ajit Pawar, who is also the Deputy Chief Minister is leading comfortably in NCP stronghold Baramati. Commenting on Mahayuti victory, the NCP leader took to X, and said Maharashtra chooses pink. His wife, Sunetra Pawar, also a Rajya Sabha MP has expressed her desire to see Ajit Pawar as Maharashtra’s CM, further fueling discussions within the coalition.

Maharashtra Chooses Pink 🙏🏻#MaharashtraElectionResult pic.twitter.com/0LqcGWwh3A

— Ajit Pawar (@AjitPawarSpeaks) November 23, 2024

With a major conundrum, the alliance will have to make a fast move and stake claim to form the government, with the term of the current assembly set to expire on November 26.