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.

The Manipur government in its order today extended suspension of mobile internet services for three more days in seven districts.

After the recent fresh violence, the administration suspended the services on November 16 for two days in an effort to prevent anti-social elements from spreading content that might create law and order problems. It had been extended for two more days on Monday.

The statement said that the state government after reviewing the prevailing law and order situation decided to continue suspension of mobile internet services in the territorial jurisdiction of Imphal West, Imphal East, Kakching, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Churachandpur and Kangpokpi of Manipur for another three days.

Earlier on November 16, the administration imposed the suspension on both broadband and mobile internet services. Nonetheless, it lifted the restriction on broadband services on Tuesday, considering the hardships faced by common people, healthcare facilities, educational institutions and other offices.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday has expressed grief over the killing of six people by suspected Kuki militants last week and said that those behind the gruesome act will be brought to justice soon.

The Chief Minister said that search operations are underway to find the killers of the three women and children, whose bodies were recovered from a river in Jiribam district last week. He also termed the killing of women and children as a crime against humanity.

Taking to X, CM N Biren Singh said that he stands here with profound sadness and anger to condemn the horrific killings of three innocent children and three innocent women by Kuki terrorists after being taken hostage at Jiribam.

He added that such barbaric acts have no place in any civilized society, and assured that the hunt for these terrorists is currently underway and they will be brought to justice very soon. The administration will not rest until they are held accountable for their inhuman actions, he concluded.

Reportedly, the six people had been missing since November 11 from a camp for the displaced in Jiribam, following a gunfight between militants and security forces that led to the deaths of 10 insurgents.

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.