Voting is currently underway in Maharashtra and Jharkhand in crucial Assembly elections that will determine the political landscape in these states for the coming years. While Maharashtra is witnessing polling in a single phase, Jharkhand is conducting voting in the second and final phase. The outcomes will shape the future of the ruling and opposition alliances, making these elections highly significant.
Polling began at 7 AM in both states, with voting set to conclude at 6 PM in Maharashtra and 5 PM in Jharkhand. However, 31 booths in Jharkhand will close an hour earlier at 4 PM. By 3 PM, voter turnout in Maharashtra stood at 45.53%, while Jharkhand saw a significantly higher turnout of 61.47%, as per Election Commission data.
In Maharashtra, a staggering 4,136 candidates are contesting across 288 constituencies, marking a 28% increase from the 2019 elections. The ruling Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP, is contesting 149, 81, and 59 seats, respectively. On the other hand, the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, led by the Congress, Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT), and Sharad Pawar’s NCP faction, has fielded 101, 95, and 86 candidates. Smaller parties such as the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), with 237 candidates, and the AIMIM, with 17 candidates, are also in the fray. Additionally, over 2,000 independents and numerous rebels are contesting, making this election highly competitive and unpredictable.
Maharashtra's election has become a showdown between the ruling Mahayuti and the opposition MVA. The Mahayuti has focused its campaign on welfare schemes such as “Majhi Ladki Bahin” to garner support, particularly among women voters. However, opposition leaders have accused the alliance of using divisive rhetoric with slogans like “Batenge toh katenge” and “Ek hai toh safe hai.” The MVA, in contrast, has highlighted issues of social justice, the caste census, and constitutional values, aiming to appeal to marginalized sections of the electorate who feel neglected under the Shinde government. With over 1 lakh polling booths set up across the state, the elections have garnered significant attention, with heavyweights like PM Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi leading campaign efforts.
In Jharkhand, the electoral battle has centered on the contest between the ruling JMM-Congress-RJD alliance and the BJP-led NDA. A total of 528 candidates, including Chief Minister Hemant Soren and his wife Kalpana Soren, are vying for 38 Assembly seats in this phase. The BJP has fielded candidates in 68 constituencies, while its allies, the AJSU Party, JD(U), and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), are contesting in 10, two, and one seat, respectively. Meanwhile, the JMM is contesting 43 seats, Congress 30, RJD six, and CPI(ML) four. Prominent leaders in this phase include state BJP president and former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi, Assembly Speaker Ravindra Nath Mahto of the JMM, and Sudesh Mahto, the AJSU Party chief.
Campaigning in Jharkhand has been intense, with the BJP accusing Hemant Soren of corruption and mismanagement. The party has also alleged infiltration from Bangladesh under the current regime, making it a major election issue. Hemant Soren, who is out on bail, has faced criticism from NDA leaders, including PM Modi, for his alleged involvement in corruption cases. On the other hand, the INDIA bloc, represented by the JMM, Congress, and RJD, has countered these allegations, accusing the BJP of using investigative agencies to target opposition leaders and pledging to expand welfare schemes if re-elected.
The polling in Jharkhand today includes key constituencies in the Santhal Pargana region, which comprises six districts—Godda, Deoghar, Dumka, Jamtara, Sahibganj, and Pakur—as well as constituencies in the North and South Chotanagpur divisions. With 14,218 polling stations set up and over 1.23 crore voters, including 60.79 lakh women, expected to cast their votes, this phase is critical in determining the state’s political future.
The results of these elections are not only crucial for Maharashtra and Jharkhand but also for the national political landscape, as they could influence the dynamics leading up to the 2024 General Elections. The ruling alliances hope to consolidate their positions, while opposition parties seek to build momentum against their rivals. The counting of votes in both states, along with by-elections being held in other states like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Kerala, and Uttarakhand, is scheduled for Saturday. The outcomes will not only reflect the mood of the electorate but could also reshape political strategies in the months to come.
