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

Maharashtra election live: “We know this since earlier, we know that in both states NDA is going to form the govt...Congress was not ready to accept Haryana (result) as well,” said Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh.

Most exit polls also predicted that Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) would put up a strong show in polls but is unlikely to cross the majority mark in the 288-member assembly.

According to P-MARQ exit poll, the Mahayuti alliance would win 137-157 seats whereas the Maha Vikas Aghadi would get 126-147 seats and others 2-8 seats.

Times Now-JVC poll predicted that Mahayuti will win 150-167 seats, MVA 107-125 and others 13-14.

The Lokshahi Marathi Rudra predicted Mahayuti getting 128-142 seats, MVA 125-10 seats and others 18-33.

Maharashtra election live: Maharashtra AICC in-charge Ramesh Chennithala dismissed the exit polls on Wednesday, insisting that the Maha Vikas Aghadi is set to secure a comfortable majority in the state assembly elections.

"Exit polls do not reflect the sentiments of people," Chennithala stated after multiple pollsters favoured the BJP-led alliances in Maharashtra and Jharkhand, while some showed the MVA ahead in Maharashtra.

He pointed out that most exit polls predicting a landslide victory for the NDA in the Lok Sabha elections and Congress' win in Haryana had been inaccurate.

"We will win Maharashtra polls with a comfortable majority. We don't believe in exit polls. Look at the Parliamentary elections and Haryana elections. The exit polls do not reflect people's sentiments," Chennithala told PTI.

Maharashtra election live: “The Opposition's wipe out is certain in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. Exit polls are telling that while NDA will form govt with two-third majority in Jharkhand, it will get majority in Maharashtra too. Without a doubt, the voting in Maharashtra is according to the ground situation in the state,” said JD(U) spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan as exit polls predicted a victory for the ruling Mahayuti coalition in Maharashtra.

Maharashtra election live: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids on Wednesday at the Chhattisgarh residence of an auditing firm employee, Gaurav Mehta, who is allegedly linked to a Bitcoin transaction case related to the Maharashtra Assembly elections, news agency PTI reported. The raids, part of a money laundering investigation, were carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in Raipur.

During the search, the ED questioned Mehta, recorded his statement, and seized several computers and digital devices. The CBI is also investigating Mehta in connection with an alleged cryptocurrency case.

This action took place on the same day as the polling for the Maharashtra Assembly elections, where the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance faces a strong challenge from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition, comprising the NCP (SP), Shiv Sena (UBT), and Congress.

Maharashtra election live: Maharashtra Deputy CM and BJP candidate for Nagpur South-West, Devendra Fadnavis, claimed that higher voter turnout benefits the BJP.

"Whenever voter turnout increases, BJP is the main beneficiary. This will favour BJP and the Mahayuti alliance," Fadnavis told ANI.

In the same constituency, Congress' Gudadhe-Patil is contesting against Fadnavis.

Exit polls, after the conclusion of voting in Maharashtra's 288 assembly seats, predict that the ruling Mahayuti alliance is likely to retain power, with the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) also making a strong showing.

Maharashtra election live: Congress leader Praniti Shinde expressed her support for independent candidate Dharmaraj Kadadi in the Solapur South assembly seat, which was contested by her party's ally Shiv Sena (UBT). After casting her vote in south-western Maharashtra, she clarified that the coalition's norms were followed and that Congress did not issue an 'AB' form (a document designating the official party candidate) to Kadadi, allowing him to contest as an independent. Praniti Shinde also highlighted that the Solapur South seat had previously produced a chief minister for Maharashtra, referring to her father, Congress veteran Sushilkumar Shinde.

Maharashtra election lives: Officials said on Wednesday that seizures of cash, alcohol, and other items during the Maharashtra assembly elections had totalled ₹707 crore.

According to the state Chief Electoral Officer's office, between October 15 and November 20, 10,139 complaints related to poll code violations were submitted via the C-Vigil app, with 10,134 complaints resolved.

The C-Vigil app enables citizens to report violations of the Model Code of Conduct. Once a complaint is filed, election officials investigate and take necessary action.

Maharashtra election live: A total of 58.43% of voters participated in the Maharashtra assembly elections on Wednesday, where the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is aiming to retain power and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is hoping for a comeback.

These figures are provisional, with election officials noting that the voter turnout in the 2019 elections was 61.74%.

Maharashtra election live: Congress candidate Arif Naseem Khan filed a complaint with election officials on Wednesday, requesting an FIR against Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde for allegedly breaching the poll code by conducting a roadshow in the Chandivali assembly seat on election day. Khan, who is contesting against Dilip Lande of the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, submitted a letter to the returning officer through his polling agent, raising concerns about Shinde's "unauthorised presence" in the constituency.

Mahayuti Alliance (BJP, Shiv Sena, NCP) is predicted to retain power in Maharashtra, with the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) (Congress, Shiv Sena [UBT], NCP [SP]) also showing strong performance in the exit polls.

Republic TV-PMARQ:

• Mahayuti: 137-157 seats
• MVA: 126-147 seats
• Others: 2-8 seats

ABP-Matrize:

• Mahayuti: 150-170 seats
• MVA: 110-130 seats
• Others: 8-10 seats

News 24-Today’s Chanakya:

• Mahayuti: 152-150 seats
• MVA: 130-138 seats
• Others: 6-8 seats

People’s Pulse:

• Mahayuti: 175-195 seats
• MVA: 85-112 seats
• Others: 7-12 seats

Majority mark in Maharashtra assembly is 145 seats. The Republic TV-PMARQ prediction shows the possibility of MVA also crossing this mark.

The Election Commission expressed disappointment over the continued low voter turnout in urban areas of Maharashtra, including Mumbai, Pune, and Thane, despite efforts to facilitate voting and motivate citizens.

The Election Commission stated that Maharashtra's turnout is expected to exceed the 2019 figures.

Maharashtra election live: Shah Rukh Khan, accompanied by his wife Gauri Khan, daughter Suhana Khan, and son Aryan Khan, cast his vote at a polling booth in Mumbai during the Maharashtra Assembly elections.

Recently, Khan received a death threat, with the Mumbai Police receiving a call at the Bandra station demanding ₹50 lakh. A case was registered, and a police team was dispatched to Raipur for further investigation. Details about the suspect remain undisclosed.

On November 12, police filed an assault case against a man from Chhattisgarh, identified as Faizan Khan, who was arrested for allegedly issuing the threat to Shah Rukh Khan.

Maharashtra election live: The Marathwada region of Maharashtra recorded an average voter turnout of 60.63% by 5 pm during the assembly elections, according to official data.

Sillod constituency in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district registered the highest turnout in the region at 70.46%. The region, which includes 46 assembly constituencies across eight districts under the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar administrative division, saw Jalna district leading with 64.17% voting.

Nanded recorded the lowest turnout in the region, with 55.88% of voters casting their ballots as of 5 pm.

Maharashtra election live: Polling for the 288-seat Maharashtra Assembly elections concluded, with an estimated voter turnout of 58.22% recorded by 5.00 pm.

According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), Gadchiroli district saw the highest turnout at 69.63%, while Mumbai city registered the lowest at 49.07%. Thane reported a turnout of 49.76%.

Other turnout figures shared by the ECI include: Mumbai Suburban at 51.76%, Nagpur at 56.06%, Aurangabad at 60.83%, Pune at 54.09%, Nashik at 59.85%, Satara at 64.16%, Dhule at 59.75%, Palghar at 59.31%, Ratnagiri at 60.35%, Nanded at 55.88%, and Latur at 61.43%.

Maharashtra election live: Actor Shakti Kapoor displayed his inked finger after casting his vote at a polling station in Mumbai.

Speaking after voting, Kapoor said, "It is very important to cast vote... everybody should cast their votes... In Mumbai, roads are a big issue. Roads should be good, there should be cleanliness, there should be focus on education and health. There shouldn't be any corruption."

Maharashtra election live: Amid high security, Bollywood superstar Salman Khan arrived at a polling booth in Mumbai to cast his vote in the Maharashtra Assembly elections.

On October 24, Mumbai Police arrested a man from Jamshedpur who had threatened Bollywood actor Salman Khan, claiming links to gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, and demanded a ransom of ₹5 crore.

The police had earlier registered a case and launched an investigation after the Mumbai Traffic Police received a threatening message.

O October 21, the same sender issued an apology, claiming the threat message sent on October 18 to the Mumbai Traffic Police control room was a "mistake."

Maharashtra election live: BJP candidate from Kankavli assembly constituency, Nitesh Rane, cast his vote and expressed confidence on the ruling Mahayuti coalition securing a “thumping majority” in the assembly election.

“If an MLA or MP always stays in touch with their electorate then it is not a problem. We are connected to the ground. My entire family has been working for the Konkan region. The people of this constituency are my extended family. The people here know that our family has been working for them since 1990. Voting turnout has been better than in Lok Sabha elections...For us, people must exercise their right to vote. This election was not challenging as we were confident of the work done by us,” said Rane.

Maharashtra election live: Founder-Chairperson of Reliance Foundation Nita Ambani cast her vote in a polling station in Mumbai.

“I have just cast my vote. It is an extremely proud feeling as a citizen of Mumbai to exercise my right to vote. I hope all Mumbaikars have come out and voted today,” she said.

Live Maharashtra election: Aditya Birla Group chairperson Kumar Mangalam Birla's wife and philanthropist Neerja Birla cast her vote in Mumbai and urged people to vote in large numbers.

“It is important to vote. Everyone should come and cast their votes. It hardly takes any time because everything is so well organised. Voting is the first step towards the change that we want to see,” she said.

Live Maharashtra election: An election official in Mumbai hoped for voting percentages to increase in final hours of polling.

“Till 1 pm, the estimated voting percentage is around 32%. According to historical trends, the voting percentage increases in the final hours of polling. I am confident, that this time we will cross last time's percentage... All issues had been sorted by our machinery, and they were properly addressed as per rules,” said Additional Chief Election Officer Maharashtra, Kiran Kulkarni.

Live Maharashtra election: Actor Rajat Kapoor claimed people of Mumbai not getting the government they voted for in the past as one of the reasons for low voter turnout in the city.

“Mumbai has been low on it (voting percentage) always, its a tradition with Mumbai... It's possible that people are disappointed that they vote for somebody but it does not end up where it is supposed to... I hope for a government that is proactive, pro-people, and inclusive,” said Kapoor while speaking to ANI.

Live Maharashtra election: Election officials in Beed district thwarted booth capturing attempts at four places in Parli. Concerned EVMs were replaces and few people were detained.

Avinash Pathak, collector of Beed, said, "Some people vandalized six polling stations in three villages in Parli. We have replaced the EVMs at five of the six polling stations. Although it was an attempt to damage the EVMs, we have not received any complaints of booth capturing. We have filed a criminal case against unidentified individuals."

Live Maharashtra election: “A large number of people have come here to cast their vote. A transformation will be witnessed by the Bhosari Vidhan Sabha seat as the people are angry due to the work done in the last 10 years. Hence, they have made upon their mind for a change,” said NCP-SCP candidate from Bhosari Assembly seat Ajit Gavhane.

Live Maharashtra election: NCP (SP) leader Jitendra Ahwad cast his vote at a polling station in Thane for the assembly election in the state. Ahwad predicted that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) will win more than 160 seats in the election.

Live Maharashtra election: The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday conducted searches at the Chhattisgarh premises of Gaurav Mehta, allegedly linked to a bitcoin transactions case in Maharashtra.

The case stems from police FIRs registered in Maharashtra and Delhi.

Sources said the ED is probing the role of Mehta and some others on charges of collecting "huge" amounts of funds in the form of bitcoins (worth ₹6,600 crore in 2017) from gullible public with the false promises of 10 per cent per month return in the form of bitcoins.