Maharashtra: Election battle heats up as Deputy CM Fadnavis predicts BJP victory amid rising voter turnout

Maharashtra News: Devendra Fadnavis, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate for Nagpur South-West, expressed his belief that the BJP stands to gain from a higher voter turnout in the state’s assembly elections. “I feel that whenever the voting percentage increases, BJP is the only one to benefit from it. With the increased voting percentage, BJP-Mahayuti will benefit from this,” Fadnavis said on Wednesday. His comments come as the state awaited the results of the high-stakes election.

Tight Race in Nagpur South-West

Fadnavis is facing Congress' Gudadhe-Patil in a high-profile contest for the Nagpur South-West constituency. While Fadnavis remains confident of his party’s chances, the opposition is also gearing up for a strong showing. The Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, is hoping to retain power in the state, while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which includes Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (SP), is expected to put up a tough fight.

Exit Poll Predictions: A Tight Contest

As voting concluded on Wednesday across Maharashtra, exit polls indicated a close race between the two alliances. According to the Republic TV-PMARQ exit poll, the Mahayuti alliance was predicted to secure between 137 and 157 seats, while MVA could win between 126 and 147 seats. Other smaller parties could win 2-8 seats. Meanwhile, the Matrize exit poll projected a stronger showing for Mahayuti, with 150-170 seats, while MVA was expected to win 110-130 seats.

Chanakya and Peoples Pulse Polls: A Wide Range of Predictions

The Chanakya Strategies exit poll forecasted Mahayuti securing 152-150 seats, with MVA grabbing 130-138 seats. Another exit poll, 'Peoples Pulse', painted an optimistic picture for the Mahayuti, predicting 175-195 seats, while MVA was expected to win between 85-112 seats. While these projections vary, the one common thread was that the contest remained tight, with the final results potentially going either way.

This election marks the first assembly contest in Maharashtra following the splits in Shiv Sena and NCP, which could lead to new dynamics in the state’s political landscape. In the 2019 elections, BJP secured 105 seats, Shiv Sena 56, and Congress 44. The 2014 elections saw BJP winning 122 seats, Shiv Sena 63, and Congress 42. With shifting alliances, this election has become crucial in determining the future of Maharashtra’s political climate.

Voter Turnout and Election Impact

Maharashtra recorded a voter turnout of 58.22% until 5 PM on the election day, setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion. The increase in voter participation is expected to play a crucial role in determining the winner. Fadnavis’s optimism about BJP benefiting from a higher turnout may yet prove pivotal as the state waits for the final tally.