New Delhi, November 23: The Mahayuti alliance led by the BJP achieved a landslide victory in Maharashtra's assembly elections, while the JMM-led alliance secured a historic mandate to continue governing Jharkhand. The elections, held on November 20, saw decisive outcomes in both states and by-polls across 48 assembly and two Lok Sabha seats.
Maharashtra: BJP-Led Mahayuti Sweeps to Power
The Mahayuti coalition, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, secured a commanding victory in Maharashtra's 288-seat assembly.
- BJP: Leading or winning in 133 seats.
- Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction): Ahead in 56 seats.
- Ajit Pawar's NCP: Poised to win 41 seats.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde credited the win to "pro-people governance" and initiatives like the Ladki Bahin Yojana, which resonated with voters. Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis called the victory a "validation of PM Modi's development agenda."
The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) suffered a crushing defeat:
- Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) is set to win just 20 seats.
- Congress and Sharad Pawar's NCP(SP) managed 16 and 10 seats, respectively.
Shinde declared the result a testament to his faction's legitimacy as Balasaheb Thackeray's "true Shiv Sena," while Fadnavis assured there would be no conflict over the CM's role.
Jharkhand: JMM-Led Alliance Makes History
In Jharkhand's 81-seat assembly, Chief Minister Hemant Soren's JMM-led coalition became the first to retain power after a full term in the state's history.
- JMM: Winning or leading in 34 seats.
- Allies: Congress (16 seats), RJD (4), and CPI(ML) (2).
- BJP: Secured 21 seats.
Soren expressed gratitude for the mandate, attributing the victory to the alliance's governance and grassroots work. His wife, Kalpana Soren, thanked the people for their overwhelming support.
PM Modi's Reaction
Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded both outcomes as victories of "development and good governance." He credited the Mahayuti's success in Maharashtra and acknowledged the JMM alliance's performance in Jharkhand. "The trust of people will inspire us to work harder," he stated.
Key Takeaways
- The BJP achieved an impressive strike rate in Maharashtra, winning 132 out of 148 contested seats.
- Welfare schemes like Ladki Bahin Yojana played a significant role in the Mahayuti's success.
- The JMM-led coalition's historic win in Jharkhand highlights the impact of alliance politics and governance consistency.
Both outcomes signify strong voter mandates, shaping the political landscape as the nation heads toward the 2024 general elections.
