Maharashtra election highlights: Exit polls predict Mahayuti's win; MVA to fall short of majority

Maharashtra election 2024 live: Around 21 EVM's were replaced by election officials after they were found to be faulty during mock polls in the Hingoli assembly constituency.

Officials stated that, “During this mock drill, 21 electronic voting machines were found faulty, after which they were replaced with new EVMs. This did not impact the voting process at the respective booths,” the official said.

Maharashtra election 2024 live: In a press conference on Wednesday, BJP MP Sambit Patra alleged that Supriya Sule and Nana Patole were following instructions from “big players” Rahul and Sonia Gandhi in the case of claims against them for using illegal Bitcoin funds to rig elections.

Responding to questions on Supriya Sule filing a defamation notice and denying the allegations he said, “Till date, is there any thief in the whole world who has been caught and says that this is a true allegation? The one who is caught says that this is a false allegation. So naturally such a big theft has taken place.”

Maharashtra Election 2024 live: Nashik city police commissioner, Sandeep Karnik told news agency ANI, that as part of the security arrangements for the assembly elections, 3000 jawans from local police, home guards, central paramilitary forces, BDDS and others. were deployed in the city.

“Polling is underway at 1,250 polling stations in Nashik.We have identified 40 sensitive places in Nashik where paramilitary forces have been deployed,” he added.

Maharashtra Election 2024 live: Union minister Piyush Goyal and his family cast their vote in a polling booth set up at Walsingham House School in Mumbai's Malabar Hill, reported news agency PTI.

Addressing reporters outside the polling station he criticised the divisive politics of the MVA saying, “I strongly condemn all such forces who divide the society on the basis of religion, caste, language. I think the people of Maharashtra will give them a befitting reply by voting in large numbers in this election.”

Maharashtra Election 2024 live: Nitin Gadkari cast his vote in Nagpur and expressed his confidence in a majority for the Mahayuti alliance, due to their good governance, reported news agency PTI.

He said to reporters, “A good government and leadership can change Maharashtra's future. Voting is a festival of democracy, and I want to appeal to people to use their fundamental right to vote and strengthen the democracy. I believe we will win the election with a good majority.”

Maharashtra Election 2024 live: Maharashtra deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, his wife Amruta Fadnavis and mother Sarita Fadnavis cast their vote at a polling booth in Nagpur.

Maharashtra Election 2024 live: Responding to allegations made against him and Supriya Sule on the use of BitCoin to illegally use funds to rig elections, Nana Patole stated that he didn't even understand BitCoin and that the BJP's claims were defamatory. reported news agency ANI.

“BJP has become a party of lies. On the eve of elections, they are doing all this. My voice is not there in the audio. I am a farming man, I don't even understand Bitcoin. We have given a legal notice and filed an FIR. We will also file a defamation case against them," he said.

Maharashtra Election 2024 live: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra appealed to voters in Maharashtra to elect the Maha Vikas Aghadi to end inflation and the economic crisis in the state.

In a post on social media platform X, she said, “Vote against inflation, unemployment, economic crisis and the everyday problems you are facing. Our constitution has given you the power to choose a government with your vote that works only for you.”

she said that voting for the Maha Vikas Aghadi was necessary for the protection of democracy and the constitution. She urged people to vote “for the strengthening of social justice; for the welfare of Dalits, backward, tribals, farmers, women, middle class, businessmen and the general public.”

Maharashtra Election 2024 live: Rahul Gandhi took to social media platform X to urge voters to go to the polling booth and vote to protect their self respect and the Constitution.

In his post, he said, “Brothers and sisters of Maharashtra, I appeal to all of you to cast your vote today to protect the self-respect and constitution of the state.”

He added, “Every vote you give to Maha Vikas Aghadi will stop the theft of your jobs and projects, will ensure fair price to farmers for their crops and will bring prosperity to your life with 5 guarantees.”

Maharashtra Election 2024 live: State Congress president Nana Patole cast his vote in Sakoli assembly constituency where he will be contesting for a third term, reported news agency ANI.

He also addressed reporters regarding the Vinod Tawde cash-for-votes allegations and stated, "He said he was distributing letters, what was the compulsion of the BJP state chief to go and distribute letters? They are trying to lie...By distributing money and liqueur, are they doing vote jihad?"

Maharashtra Election 2024 live: Congress leader Amit Deshmukh who is contesting from Latur constituency, stated that the recent allegations of cash-for-votes against the BJP's Vinod Tawde were concerning for the state of the democracy, reported news agency ANI.

Deshmukh stated, “I don't think that the allegations are baseless. You all have seen what happened, but it seems like no action is being taken. It appears that the matter is being swept under the carpet, but this is not good for democracy. This is not healthy for our electoral system or our democracy.”

Maharashtra Election 2024 live: Shaina NC's daughter Shanaya Munot said that her mother has put up a good fight in the assembly polls, reported news agency ANI.

"She has put up a very good fight. She has always been someone who's been pro-development... As we see reactions from the ground, the public is showing us their support, and I hope people come out and exercise their right to vote," Shanaya said.

Maharashtra Election 2024 live: Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee President Nana Patole got blessings from his family ahead o voting in the assembly elections.

Patole who is vying for a third term in the Sakoli constituency, was recently accused by BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi of illegally using cryptocurrency funds to rig the elections.

Fellow MVA member Supriya Sule lodged a complaint about the ‘baseless’ allegations to the polling body.

Maharashtra Election 2024 live: NCP leader and candidate from Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar, Nawab Malik cast his vote in a polling booth in Mumbai and urged voters to come out in large numbers for the assembly polls.

Interestingly, a Mahayuti alliance member alongside NCP, has fielded Suresh 'Bullet' Patil to contest against Nawab Malik.

Malik was not a favourite for the seat among the BJP and Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena, despite being an alliance partner.

Malik had been arrested in 2022 over charges of having links with Dawood Ibrahim. No charges were proven yet and Ajit Pawar batted for him to contest from the Shivajinagar seat.

Maharashtra Election 2024 live: 6.61 per cent voter turnout has been recorded as of 9 am in Maharashtra, according to data from the Election Commission of India.

Voting is underway in 288 assembly constituencies across the state.

Maharashtra Election 2024 live: MNS candidate Amit Thackeray from Mahim and his Shiv Sena rival Sada Sarvankar shook hands outside the Siddhivinayak temple, where both had arrived to seek blessings as polling begins in the state assembly elections, reported news agency PTI.

Current Mahim MLA Sarvankar, wished all candidates good luck. First-time candidate Amit Thackeray said that he was not tense about the results.

Maharashtra Election 2024 live: NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule posted on X after casting her vote in the Baramati assembly constituency with her family.

She said," I urge the people of Maharashtra to head out and vote in large numbers! Let’s stand together to protect our constitutional values and for honest, committed & good governance."

NCP (SP) has fielded Yugendra Pawar against fellow family member and NCP chief Ajit Pawar in the Baramati assembly constituency.

Baramati: After casting his vote, NCP-SCP chief Sharad Pawar addressed reporters and dismissed allegations made by the BJP against Supriya Sule regarding use of illegal funds to rig elections.

Veteran politician Pawar told news agency ANI, "The person who made the allegations was in jail for several months and taking that person along and making false allegations, only BJP can do this."

He also expressed confidence in the people of Maharashtra voting peacefully and in large numbers.

Maharashtra Election 2024 live: 93-year-old Aruna Chitale, resident of Nagpur, cast her vote in the Vidhan Sabha elections and stated that old age was not a deterrent from exercising her democratic rights, reported PTI.

Chitale was accompanied by her daughter-in-law, cast vote at a polling booth in Town Hall area of Nagpur city.

Asked what motivated her to cast vote at this age, Chitale told PTI, "Though I am old, I wanted to vote and my family helped me for it." Chitale had once spent a month in jail during the 1975 emergency and said exercising one's democratic rights was important.

Maharashtra Election 2024 live: State Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar and his family cast their vote in Chandrapur, reported news agency PTI.

Politicians across the spectrum have arrived to cast their votes early and urge voters to come out in large crowds at polling booths as well.

Vijay Wadettiwar is the sitting MLA from the Brahmapuri seat and is in the electoral race against BJP's Krishnalal Bajirao Sahare.

Maharashtra Election 2024 live: NCP (SP) stalwart Sharad Pawar cast his vote in the Baramati assembly constituency, reported news agency ANI.

The constituency features a family showdown between his NCP(SP) Yugendra Pawar and NCP leader Ajit Pawar.

Maharashtra Election 2024 live: Bandra East MLA Zeeshan Siddiqui told news agency ANI, that this was his first time coming to vote alone after the assassination of his father, NCP leader Baba Siddiqui.

“For the first time, I have come alone to vote. My father (Baba Siddiqui) is no more. This is different but this will have to be done. I know that my father is with me. I started my day by visiting the graveyard in the morning...I think everyone must vote,” he said.

Maharashtra Election 2024 live: NCP(SP) leader and Baramati MP Supriya Sule has responded to claims of ‘rigging’ the election by BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi challenging him to prove his stance and debate her on the matter.

“Time of his choice, place of his choice and platform of his choice. I am ready to answer him because all the allegations are completely false,” she was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

She also stated that she had filed a criminal defamation case against the BJP MP for his comments.

Maharashtra Election 2024 live: NCP candidate from Bandra East Zeeshan Siddique cast his vote at a polling station in Mumbai, reported news agency ANI.

Siddique is seeking re-election in the Bandra East constituency, which was also a stronghold for his late father Baba Siddique, who was murdered in October.

Maharashtra Election 2024 live: Chandrakant Bawankule, state BJP president, took to social media platform X, to encourage the people of Maharashtra to celebrate democracy and vote in the elections.

In his post he said, “For the past month, the people of Maharashtra listened to the positions of different parties and candidates. The people of this place are going to decide today who should be given the responsibility of shaping the future of this state for the next five years.”

He added, “Your one vote today will make tomorrow's Maharashtra.”