Maharashtra, Jharkhand Elections 2024 Highlights: Voting ends in Maharashtra, Jharkhand; Minimum voter turnout recorded in Maximum City

By 6 pm, when the polling windows closed, Maharashtra recorded a voter turnout of 58.22%. However, the turnout saw an increase after 10:30 pm, reaching 63.11%, as per the Election Commission of India.

“The country wants to move forward with PM Modi and the BJP-led NDA. People (of Maharashtra and Jharkhand) have seen the work done by the Uddhav Thackeray government and Hemant Soren government. Those who used to say that PM Modi has lost, have received a reply from the people,” says BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad on exit poll predictions for Maharashtra and Jharkhand. PTI

Speaking about the exit polls predictions, JMM leader Manoj Pandey said, “Exit polls are just exit polls…but the actual results that are going to come will be shocking. We will have 55+ seats…look at the excitement of people, look at the increase in voting percentage. BJP did not have a topic but we were moving forward with the issues of people…”

Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey commented on several exit polls predicting an edge for the BJP-led NDA in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. “Some exit polls are favoring the Maha Vikas Aghadi, while others are giving an edge to the Mahayuti. We don’t want to question the exit polls, but we’ve also seen exit polls predicting a decisive majority for Congress in Haryana, yet the BJP came to power there. You must have seen exit polls predicting a victory for Congress in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, but the BJP came to power there as well. There were also exit polls projecting 300+ and 400+ seats, but the BJP stopped at 240. So, how much trust can be placed in exit polls? I leave it to the people’s wisdom. But one thing is clear in Maharashtra: the Maha Vikas Aghadi is coming to power.”

“BJP always gains an advantage whenever there is an increase in voter turnout. Even now, the data shows that the voting percentage has risen in the state, and I am confident that Mahayuti and BJP will benefit from this,” says Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis on exit poll predictions. – PTI

Polling in and around Mumbai largely proceeded smoothly as the state vote on Wednesday even as several citizens faced significant issues, including others voting in their name, names missing from the voters’ list and poor condition of roads leading to polling stations.

Read the full story here

On exit poll predictions, Congress leader Pranav Jha said, "Maybe (there) will be a setback of a couple of seats and we will not be able to retain some, but there will be the addition of many more (seats). And, I would like to thank the women voters as was evident in the first phase. They came out in large numbers, there was large support for Maiya Samman Yojana and there was strong support from the farmer community because of the good governance. Whoever has gone to the field, there has been a great enthusiasm among the female voters."

Congress in-charge for Maharashtra, Ramesh Chennithala said, "Maha Vikas Aghadi is very confident in forming government in Maharashtra. In the state, the people are against the present-day government at the state and centre. Exit polls are not reflecting the reality...People's sentiments are with us...We are touching on the real issues. BJP was always resorting to the people on communal lines. I feel people in Maharashtra will vote for Maha Vikas Aghadi and we will form govt...Exit polls are not telling the reality."

Chief Election Officer K Ravi Kumar said, "The data for the 5 pm polling is available online. The close-up poll data will be available on the voter turnout app around 11.30 pm. Tomorrow early morning, end-up poll data will also be published. FIRs for 6 MCC violations were registered... The election process was free and fair and we are satisfied with it."

“The results will be in favour of Mahayuti because in the past 10 years, we have worked for all people. Efforts were made to mislead people during Lok Sabha elections, but now people have understood that no one can change the Constitution,” said Union Minister Ramdas Athawale. PTI

At Haji Ghulam Mohd Azam Urdu Primary School in Pune’s Bhawani Peth, an extra officer is verifying the identity of women voters. As a burqa-clad woman approaches, she stands up and asks her to lift her veil. Once her identity is confirmed, she is asked to go ahead and cast her vote in one of the three booths.

This is one of the 96 polling stations set up in Pune district that District Collector Suhas Diwase calls “pardanashin” booths—an arrangement made to help Muslim women clad in face veils to vote in adherence to their socio-religious norms during the Maharashtra Assembly elections.

Such booths are established in areas with sizeable Muslim populations, where face veils often make the verification of women voters’ identity a difficult task for election officials. A trained woman officer is deployed in such booths for the purpose. Read More

In the highly competitive and intensely fought Maharashtra assembly elections of 2024, politicians from the ruling coalition are trying their best to gather the support of the ladki behenas (beloved sisters), while their opponents are trying equally hard to reach out to their own versions of the ladka voters. We tried to focus on the ladka netas, or the political elites in the state of Maharashtra. Much of the media glare is on popular leaders like Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, or former CM Uddhav Thackeray, veteran Maratha leader Sharad Pawar, his rebellious nephew Ajit “Dada” Pawar, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, and others who are all playing a crucial role in these elections.

However, our focus is on the political elites, who have been able to hold on to their bastions or constituencies for a long period, becoming entrenched in local politics, so much so that they tend to dominate politics at the local level, creating their own pockets of influence or what could be called their respective fiefdoms, emerging as the ladka netas in their respective regions. Read More

Atul Londhe, Chief Spokesperson of Maharashtra Congress, said, "Exit polls have lost their credibility. We are not taking part in the exit polls. We trust only exact polls. Maha Vikas Aghadi will get comfortable to form govt."

According to the P-MARQ Survey, Mahayuti is projected to win between 137 and 157 seats, MVA is expected to secure between 126 and 146 seats, while others will win between 2 and 8 seats.

P-MARQ Survey:
📌 Mahayuti: 137–157 seats

📌MVA: 126–146 seats

📌Others: 2–8 seats

People's Pulse Survey:
📌 Mahayuti: 175–195 seats

📌 MVA: 85–112 seats

📌Others: 7–12 seats

Matrize Survey

📌Mahayuti: 150–170 seats

📌MVA: 110–130 seats

Jharkhand Chief Electoral Officer K Ravi Kumar briefed the media, stating that voting for 38 seats in the second phase concluded peacefully, with only minor incidents reported in a few areas.

JMM candidate from Ranchi, Mahua Maji said, "We don't trust exit polls. You saw what happened in Lok Sabha polls...INDIA alliance will form the government in Jharkhand."

As the second and the last phase of the Jharkhand Assembly elections ended today, the pollsters — JVC, Matrize, and Peoples Pulse predict an edge for the NDA alliance in Jharkhand, all eyes are on the exit polls that will predict the fate of the key players in the race. The focus is on the ruling JMM-led INDIA which is seeking to retain power, while the BJP-led NDA is hoping to oust the Soren government in the state.

On the Jharkhand Exit Polls, former State Congress chief Rajesh Thakur said, "We believe in 'exact polls', not the exit polls... Whatever the decision would be on November 23, we will respect it."

The second phase elections kicked off on Wednesday with 38 of the 81 seats going to polls. The first phase of polling took place in Jharkhand on November 13. The second phase concentrated on the Santhal Pargana and North Chhotanagpur regions.

The Ladki Bahin Yojna, which offers a Rs 1,500 monthly allowance to women, has become a focal point in the Maharashtra Assembly polls. With over 2.22 crore women voters receiving this benefit, its impact on voter sentiment is being closely observed. While some beneficiaries appreciate the scheme, like Sangeeta Sayamkar from Borgaon, others feel it does not offset their economic struggles, especially in rural areas. Sayamkar, for instance, reported losses in her soybean production despite receiving the allowance. The scheme’s influence on the election outcome will hinge on how it resonates with voters facing economic hardships.

NCP (SP) spokesperson Nitesh Karale from Maharashtra's Wardha constituency on Wednesday claimed that he was assaulted by two BJP supporters near a polling station. The leader belonging to Sharad Pawar's party, popular among locals as Karale Master, said the incident took place at Umri Meghe when he was returning after casting his vote.

Polling was conducted on Wednesday in all 288 assembly seats in the state.

Karale claimed he came across a BJP booth set up near the polling centre. When he confronted those manning the booth, two persons got into a heated exchange with him and assaulted him, alleged the NCP (SP) spokesperson.

A purported video of the alleged incident has surfaced on social media.

In the Wardha constituency, BJP's Pankaj Rajesh Bhoyar is up against Shekhar Pramod Shende of the Congress.

(With inputs from PTI)

The ruling Mahayuti is set for a strong victory in Maharashtra, with projections showing 182 seats, surpassing the majority mark of 145. In contrast, the MVA is expected to secure 97 seats, as per the People’s Pulse exit poll.

"The (voting) percentage has increased (this time) and it will give us an advantage," Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis said, as quoted by PTI.

Both Mahayuti and MVA leaders express confidence in forming the next government. NCP leader Sharad Pawar predicts that the MVA will comfortably cross the halfway mark, securing 145 seats out of the 288. Conversely, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis from the Mahayuti alliance believes that their coalition will achieve the same result. Despite the significant number of rebels and independents contesting in up to 35 constituencies, these leaders maintain optimism. The assembly polls, therefore, are expected to be a closely contested battle, with a narrow margin of victory likely determining the final outcome.

Follow Maharashtra Exit Polls 2024 Latest Updates here

As polling concluded in Maharashtra, urban voter apathy remained a challenge for the Election Commission, which frequently ran campaigns to encourage people to come out in large numbers and vote. Despite being the state’s largest city and the country’s financial and entertainment hub, Mumbai recorded the lowest vote turnout at 49.07 per cent, just 1 per cent higher than 48.4 per cent turnout in 2019. Meanwhile, Gadchiroli saw the highest turnout at 69.63 per cent.

Actor Shah Rukh Khan and his wife Gauri Khan, daughter and actor Suhana Khan, and son Aryan Khan cast their votes at a polling booth in Mumbai this evening.

Muslim voters, who make up 11.56% of Maharashtra’s population, are expected to consolidate against the BJP-led Mahayuti, as seen in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. In this election, the Congress has promised reservation for Muslims if it comes to power, while the BJP argues that its policies focus on the overall development of all communities, including Muslims. Muslim organizations have largely maintained their stance from previous elections, and their decisive vote in key constituencies will be crucial in determining the final electoral outcome, particularly in urban areas where their influence is substantial.

Independent candidate Balasaheb Shinde, contesting from Beed, died after suffering a heart attack at a polling booth.

Dalits, who make up around 10.8% of Maharashtra’s population, are a significant voting bloc, especially in reserved constituencies. Their support is crucial for both the BJP-led Mahayuti and the MVA. The BJP has promoted schemes like Mudra loans to empower Dalit entrepreneurs, while the MVA emphasizes constitutional safeguards and social justice. Despite BJP’s efforts to address Dalit concerns, some feel that the party’s focus on caste and religion in politics undermines the unity of Dalits and their broader constitutional rights, making their vote a highly contested factor.

As voting day is almost over in Maharashtra, pollsters are raring to dive into the fray, predicting outcomes based on the electorate’s pulse. With all 288 Assembly seats at stake, the ruling Mahayuti coalition — led by the trio of Devendra Fadnavis (BJP), Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena), and Ajit Pawar (NCP) — faces the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which includes the Congress and Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT).

Looking back at 2019, pollsters had a tough time hitting the mark in Maharashtra. They predicted a landslide for the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance, but the NDA secured only 161 seats. Overestimations of nearly 46 seats left many scratching their heads. Meanwhile, the prediction for the JMM-led alliance in Jharkhand was spot on. As we gear up for 2024, both pollsters and pundits are eager to see if they can deliver more accurate forecasts in this rapidly changing political landscape.

Follow Maharashtra Assembly Election Exit Poll Results 2024 Live Updates here

As the second and the last phase of the Jharkhand Assembly elections comes to an end today, all eyes are on the exit polls that will predict the fate of the key players in the race. The focus is on the ruling JMM-led INDIA which is seeking to retain power, while the BJP-led NDA is hoping to oust the Soren government in the state. The second phase elections kicked off on Wednesday with 38 of the 81 seats going to polls. The first phase of polling took place in Jharkhand on November 13. The second phase is concentrated in the Santhal Pargana and North Chhotanagpur regions.

The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led alliance had clinched the 2019 Assembly elections and had formed the government under Hemant Soren.

Key contestants in the second phase of the 2024 Jharkhand Assembly elections include Chief Minister Hemant Soren, who is pitted against Gamaliel Hembrom of the BJP in Barhait; AJSUP chief Sudesh Mahato is challenging former MLA Amit Mahato of JMM in Silli; CM’s wife Kalpana Soren is taking on Muniya Devi from BJP in Gandey; in Jamtara Shibu Soren’s daughter-in-law Sita Soren, who is a BJP candidate, is going against sitting MLA Irfan Ansari of Congress in Jama.

Follow Jharkhand Assembly Election Exit Poll Results 2024 Live Updates here

The voter turnout in Maharashtra stands at 58.22% till 5 pm, according to data from the Election Commission of India.

Here’s the district-wise voting percentage in the state:

Ahmednagar - 61.95 percent

Akola - 56.16 percent

Buldhana - 62.84 percent

Aurangabad- 60.83 percent

Beed - 60.62 percent

Gadchiroli- 69.63 percent

Buldhana - 62.84 percent

Chandrapur- 64.48 percent

Dhule - 59.75 percent

Gadchiroli - 69.63 percent

Gondia - 65.09 percent

Hingoli - 61.18 percent

Jalgaon - 54.69 percent

Jalna- 64.17 percent

Kolhapur- 67.97 percent

Latur - 61.43 percent

Mumbai City- 49.07 percent

Mumbai suburbs - 51.76 percent

Nagpur - 56.06 percent

Nanded - 55.88 percent

Nandurbar- 63.72 percent

Nashik -59.85 percent

Osmanabad- 58.59 percent

Palghar- 59.31 percent

Parbhani- 62.73 percent

Pune - 54.09 percent

Raigad - 61.01 percent

Ratnagiri- 60.35 percent

Sangli - 63.28 percent

Satara - 64.16 percent

Sindhudurg - 62.06 percent

Solapur -57.09 percent

Thane - 49.76 percent

Wardha - 63.50 percent

Washim -57.42 percent,

Yavatmal - 61.22 percent

Maharashtra has recorded a voter turnout of 58.22% till 5 pm, and the state is on track to surpass the 61.1% turnout recorded in the 2019 elections.

A total of 57 leprosy patients on Wednesday voted for the first time at Jamtara in the Jharkhand assembly elections and expressed hope that the new government will solve the problems faced by them.

They exercised their franchise at a dedicated booth, set up for them at Snehpur Community Building in Mihijam, during the second and final phase of the Jharkhand Assembly polls on Wednesday.

"This is the first time the district administration set up a dedicated booth for us here. I also cast my vote for the first time. I hope my vote will help form a constructive government, which will take care of us. Despite being affected by leprosy, I am still deprived of a pension," Pandit, a leprosy patient said, as quoted by PTI.

The booth in-charge, Vijay Kumar, said they demand that the government give them a concrete house with facilities like drinking water and electricity. "There were 31 male and 26 female voters. This was for the first time when a dedicated model booth was set up for them under the ‘no voter to be left behind' motto of the Election Commission," he said.

(With inputs from PTI)

Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran cast his vote at a polling booth in south Mumbai. (Express photos by Ganesh Shirsekar)

The Thane city police on Wednesday registered a case against Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate from Kopri-Pachpakhadi Kedar Dighe, who is contesting against Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, for alleged possession of liquor and cash, an official said.

Kedar Dighe is the nephew of Shinde's mentor, the late Anand Dighe, who wielded immense influence in the Thane region as a Shiv Sena leader.

As per the FIR registered at the Kopri police station, Dighe, and a few others were apprehended with cash in envelopes and liquor at Ashtavinayak Chowk around 2 am. It has been alleged that they were planning to distribute the money and alcohol to voters.

Dighe has been booked under Section 174 (undue influence or personation at an election) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the official said.

The Sena (UBT) leader took to X to deny the allegations. He said nothing objectionable was found in his car. “This is an attempt by the opponents to defame me. I had myself taken the car to the police station. After that whatever is happening is politically motivated,” he said.

(With inputs from PTI)

Additional Chief Election Officer Maharashtra, Kiran Kulkarni said, "Till 1 pm, the estimated voting percentage was 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."

Actor Salman Khan cast his vote at a polling booth in Mumbai this evening.

Three unidentified persons allegedly opened fire at Shiv Sena candidate Bhausaheb Kamble's car in Maharashtra's Shrirampur in the early hours of Wednesday, police said.

The three persons riding two motorcycles targeted Kamble's car near Ashok Sugar Mills on the day of polling. The bullets, however, didn't hit the car and Kamble, a police official said.

Shrirampur Police in Ahilyanagar district registered an FIR against unidentified persons under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) on a complaint lodged by Kamble, the official said. Nobody has been arrested so far and the investigation is underway, he added.

Kamble is in the poll arena against Congress' Hemant Bhujangrao Ogale.

(With inputs from PTI)

A 101-year-old woman cast her vote on Wednesday in central Maharashtra's Latur city.

Arriving for voting with her family members, Narmadabai Madanlal Toshniwal, exercised her franchise at a polling booth set up at Venkatesh Primary School in Solapur Galli in the city.

Toshniwal was brought to the polling centre in an autorickshaw by her grandson Mahesh Zanwar.

(With inputs from PTI)

On altercation between Shiv Sena candidate Suhas Kande and independent candidate Sameer Bhujbal in Nandgaon Assembly constituency, Special IGP Nashik, Dattatray Karale said, "Some people had gathered near a college located on Manmad-Nandgaon road in Nandgaon Assembly constituency. There was a misunderstanding that people from outside were brought there to vote. We are taking action and will lodge a case after verifying the facts of this incident. The situation is normal and the election process is underway there."

Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole said, "The initial trends show that people are voting for Congress candidates in large numbers. Congress has the support of people and according to trends, we are hoping that 75-80 of our candidates will win."

Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, his sons Anant Ambani and Akash Ambani, and daughter-in-law Shloka Mehta cast their vote at a polling booth in Mumbai.

The voter turnout in Maharashtra stands at 45.53% till 3 pm, according to data from the Election Commission of India.

Here's the district wise voting percentage in the state:

Ahmednagar - 47.85 percent

Akola - 44.45 percent

Amravati - 45.13 percent

Buldhana- 47.48 percent

Beed - 46.15 percent

Bhandara- 51.32 percent

Buldhana - 47.48 percent

Chandrapur- 49.87 percent

Dhule - 47.62 percent

Gadchiroli - 62.99 percent

Gondia - 53.88 percent

Hingoli - 49.64 percent

Jalgaon - 40.62 percent

Jalna- 50.14 percent

Kolhapur- 54.06 percent

Mumbai suburbs- 40.89 percent

Mumbai City- 39.34 percent

Mumbai suburbs - 40.89 percent

Nagpur - 44.45 percent

Nanded - 42.87 percent

Nandurbar- 51.16 percent

Nashik - 46.86 percent

Osmanabad- 45.81 percent

Palghar- 46.82 percent

Parbhani- 48.84 percent

Pune - 41.70 percent

Raigad - 48.13 percent

Ratnagiri- 50.04 percent

Sangli - 48.39 percent

Satara - 49.82 percent

Sindhudurg - 51.05 percent

Solapur - 43.49 percent

Thane - 38.94 percent

Wardha - 49.68 percent

Washim - 43.67 percent

Yavatmal - 48.81 percent

The suburban district recorded a voter turnout of 40.89%, while the Mumbai City district saw a turnout of 39.34% till 3 pm.

The voter turnout in Maharashtra stands at 45.53% till 3 pm, according to data from the Election Commission of India.

Leading by example to encourage voter participation in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, candidates in all eight constituencies of Pune district ensured they voted in the morning on Wednesday.

In the high-profile Baramati segment, NCP candidate Ajit Pawar voted along with his wife Sunetra Pawar soon after the polling began at 7 am. While NCP (SP) candidate Yugendra Pawar came with his parents to vote, the party’s chief, Sharad Pawar, voted along with MP Supriya Sule and other members of his family.

Among those who cast their votes in Pune city were Congress candidate Ravindra Dhangekar and BJP nominee Hemant Rasane, who voted in Kasba. Congress candidate Ramesh Bagwe and BJP candidate Sunil Kamble voted in the Pune Cantonment constituency along with their families. Read More

Tension prevailed outside a polling booth in Baramati town in Maharashtra's Pune district after NCP (SP) candidate Yugendra Pawar's mother alleged intimidation and malpractices by workers of the rival NCP led by sitting MLA Ajit Pawar.

Yugendra Pawar, a grandnephew of NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar is pitted against his uncle and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a high-profile contest in the stronghold of Pawars.

Yugendra's mother, Sharmila Pawar, alleged that one of their party cadres was intimidated by the workers of the rival faction. "When I received the information, I reached the spot and saw that some voter slips bearing the symbol of their (NCP) party were being circulated and our people were being intimidated and given death threats," she alleged. She said a complaint will be lodged with the Election Commission in this regard.

Meanwhile, Kiran Gujar, the election-in-charge of Ajit Pawar-led party in Baramati, said Sharmila Pawar is not an election official and she had no right to go inside the polling station.

Ajit Pawar, who has represented the Baramati seat since 1991, also refuted the claims and said his party workers were adhering to the election code of conduct.

(With inputs from PTI)

As Jharkhand votes in the second phase of the Assembly elections on Wednesday, Chief Minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Hemant Soren sits down with The Indian Express to discuss the polls, his governance track record, the BJP’s allegations against him and his government, and the time he spent in prison in a money laundering case.

Read Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren's interview here

Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar said, "As you can see that Mumbaikars are voting for Legislative assembly elections, many officers have been deployed. Mumbaikars are voting peacefully. Everything is going smoothly."

NCP (SP) candidate from Parli assembly constituency, Rajesaheb Deshmukh, claimed that a CCTV camera was disabled at a polling booth in Dharmapuri.

In a purported video, Deshmukh can be seen talking to the polling staff about the "detached" cable of a CCTV camera and asking who had done it. Later, he alleged that the CCTV had been made dysfunctional.

“People from minority communities are not being allowed to come to the booth to vote. Someone else is pressing the button (on EVM). If this is the case, why do we even need an election? It seems the administration is merely completing a formality,” he said.

In the Parli constituency in Beed district, Deshmukh from Sharad Pawar's NCP (SP) is up against Maharashtra minister Dhananjay Munde of NCP, headed by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

(With inputs from PTI)

Lyricist Javed Akhtar, actor Madhuri Dixit, filmmaker Rohit Shetty, fashion designer Manish Malhotra cast their vote at a polling booth in Mumbai.

After casting his vote at a polling booth in Mumbai, Bollywood actor Anupam Kher said, "I cast my vote every time and I feel that responsibilities come with rights. When we demand our rights, then it is also our responsibility to elect the candidate of our choice. I want to tell the first-time voters that it is cool to vote and it would be wonderful if they come out and vote."

Popular music composer, and singer Shankar Mahadevan and his family casts their votes at Vashi on Wednesday.

As of 1 pm, voter turnout in Maharashtra stands at 32.18 per cent, Gadchiroli highest at 50.89% and Mumbai city lowest at 27.73%. While Jharkhand, during Phase 2 of polling, recorded a turnout of 47.92 per cent, according to data from the Election Commission of India.

Netaji Nagar Cooperative Housing Society in Lullanagar, chaired by Ravindra Mhaskar (right), was among the 126 polling booths set up in the Pune district.

The 49-year-old housing society, comprising 39 buildings with 582 flats, houses a voting population of 1,900. Mhaskar described the process as smooth and shared the society’s efforts to engage residents who no longer live there. “At least 50% of the residents have moved out due to the small flat sizes here. We have reached out to many of them to ensure they can participate,” he explained.

Among the voters was 82-year-old retired COEP professor Shankar Karasgikar, who remarked that voting within the society premises was a unique and memorable experience.

BJP leader and former MP Poonam Mahajan cast her vote with her family in the Bandra East constituency on Wednesday.

NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar emphasised the importance of the Maharashtra assembly elections, urging citizens to vote and shape the state's future.

Addressing reporters in Baramati after casting his vote, "It is not good that the voter percentage in Maharashtra is less than smaller states in the northeast," the former Union minister said.

Notably, the BJP on Tuesday played purported voice notes of state Congress chief Nana Patole and NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule to allege attempts to encash Bitcoins to influence the state elections, claiming it poses a serious question on the conduct of polls in a free and fair manner.

Sule has refuted the allegations.

Pawar also said BJP's allegations against his daughter Sule and Patole are not worth taking note of.

DCM Devendra Fadnavis along with his mother and wife casts his vote in Nagpur on Wednesday. "I appeal to everyone that the festival of democracy is going on and participation in democracy is very important. For those who have expectations from their government, it is even more important for them to come out to vote. Everyone should vote," he said.

After casting his vote in Thane, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde expressed his confidence in securing a thumping victory in the ongoing Assembly polls. “People have seen their (Maha Vikas Aghadi’s) two-and-a-half years of rule vis-a-vis the work done by us in the same amount of time. People will vote for development and for the work done by us,” Shinde said.

Union minister and senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari highlighted flaws in the voter enrolment process during the Maharashtra Assembly polls.

Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, Gadkari said, "Some names of the people who have passed away are still in the voters' list, while names of those who have filled the forms for enrolment are missing. The EC should take serious cognisance of this and review its methods for including names in the voter list."

"The system is not appropriate, and several people have expressed their disappointment to me. The EC must make the process leak-proof to ensure that all voters have their rightful opportunity to exercise their franchise," he said.

Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole on Wednesday slammed the BJP for dragging him in its allegations of Bitcoins misappropriation to influence the state polls and said he would take the legal route to fight the “fake” charges against him.

Talking to reporters after casting his vote in Bhandara district, Patole said he is a farmer and has nothing to do with Bitcoins.

The BJP on Tuesday played purported voice notes of Patole and NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule to allege attempts to encash Bitcoins to influence the state assembly elections, claiming it poses a serious question on the conduct of polls in a free and fair manner. Read

Shiv Sena (UBT) Uddhav Thackeray and his family cast their vote at Sahitya Sahabus CHSL at Bandra East on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, polling for by-elections to 15 Assembly seats across Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Kerala and Uttarakhand with 45 candidates in the fray started at 7 am Wednesday. Voting will go on till 5 pm and the counting will take place on Saturday (Nov 23).

Of the total 15 seats, four are in Punjab, nine are in Uttar Pradesh, and one each are in Uttarakhand and Kerala. A total of 6.96 lakh voters, including 3.31 lakh women, are eligible to exercise their franchise across 831 polling stations. Read

Polling in the Baramati assembly constituency has gained momentum recording a turnout of 18.81 per cent by 11 AM, the highest in Pune district. The overall voter turnout across the district stood at 15.64 per cent during the same period. Meanwhile, with only 11.46 per cent of voters cast their ballots by 11 AM.

As of 11 AM, voter turnout in Maharashtra stands at 18.14 per cent, while Jharkhand, during Phase 2 of polling, has recorded a turnout of 31.37 per cent according to data from the Election Commission of India.

Union minister Nitin Gadkari exercised his vote with his family in Town Hall ( Mahal) Nagpur on Wednesday.

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray and his family cast their votes at Balmohon School in the Dadar Shivaji Park area on Wednesday.

Former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Yadav on the polling day stated that " The BJP will lose in Jharkhand and Maharashtra Assembly elections."

NCP supremo Sharad Pawar cast his vote in the Malegaon polling station with his wife on Wednesday. Supriya Sule and her family too joined him.

Shiv Sena MLA Suhas Kande from Nandgaon and supporters of INDIA bloc MLA Sameer Bhujbal clash on polling day.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) candidate from Bandra East, Zeeshan Siddiqui, cast his vote in the Maharashtra Assembly elections on Wednesday. This marks Siddiqui's first time voting without his father, Baba Siddiqui, who was shot dead in the city’s Bandra area.

Reflecting on the emotional moment, Siddiqui said, "For the first time, I have come alone to vote. My father is no more. It feels different, but this is something that must be done. I know he is with me." He also shared that he began his day by visiting his father’s grave, urging everyone to exercise their right to vote.

The Bandra East constituency is witnessing a fierce contest between Siddiqui, a sitting MLA who previously won on a Congress ticket in 2019, and Varun Sardesai, the nephew of Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray.

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) candidate Amit Thackeray and Shiv Sena's Sada Sarvankar shook hands at Mumbai's Siddhivinayak temple as both sought blessings ahead of polling for the Maharashtra Assembly elections.

Contesting for the Mahim seat, Thackeray, a first-time candidate, expressed confidence, while Sarvankar, the sitting MLA, extended good wishes to all candidates.

Despite BJP's push for Sarvankar to step down in favor of Thackeray, he remained in the race, with Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Mahesh Sawant also contesting from the constituency.

As of 9 AM, voter turnout in Maharashtra stands at 6.61 per cent, while Jharkhand, during Phase 2 of polling, has recorded a turnout of 12.71 per cent, according to data from the Election Commission of India.

Residents of Mumbai cast their votes at a polling centre at Ghatkopar in Mumbai on Wednesday.

The Indian stock, currency, and commodities markets will remain closed on Wednesday due to assembly elections in Maharashtra, according to PTI reports.

A section of Pune’s transgender community Wednesday boycotted the elections in protest against what it said was the lack of representation of their demands in the elections.

Manasi Goilkar, founder, Shrikhandi Trust, said the decision was taken as the government or none of the parties have taken up the issue of vertical reservation for the transgender community.

Goilkar said they have been fighting for reservation, but no one is ready to discuss the issue. “We have decided to boycott the polls for this,” she said. Read

Prominent Bollywood personalities, including Akshay Kumar, Rajkummar Rao, Shubha Khote, Farhan Akhtar, and Sonu Sood, along with cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, stepped out early to cast their votes in the Maharashtra Assembly Elections.

They appealed to citizens to exercise their democratic rights, emphasizing the importance of voting in strengthening democracy.

Indianactorsto cricket legend and also the Election Commission of India icon Sachin Tendulkar stated "I would like to appeal people to come out and vote, it is our responsibility. I am also an ECI icon, and I have been saying this. There are good facilities here" says the Tendulkar.

While actor Akshay Kumar and Rao highlighted voting as both a responsibility and a right. Actor Gautami Kapoor urged people of all ages to participate, underscoring the power of a single vote in bringing change.

Maharashtra's Chief Electoral Officer, S. Chockalingam, urged voters to exercise their right to vote and not treat the polling day as a holiday.

"Do not think that one vote will not make a difference. It can make a difference," Chockalingam stated after casting his vote.

"All voters ought to exercise their franchise as each and every vote is equally important for the country and the state," Chockalingam said.

Senior officials, including Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik, cast their votes early. Chockalingam highlighted extensive election preparations involving nearly five lakh government employees and two lakh security personnel to ensure smooth polling.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's nephew, Yugendra Pawar, addressed the media outside the polling station after casting his vote, saying, “I've come here to exercise my right to vote that Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar has given us.”

“Everyone should think of Baramati’s future. People should keep Pawar Saheb in their hearts and vote…If he had given more time to Baramati, it would have been good for us. But we understand that he also has to manage the whole of Maharashtra,” he added.

On contesting against Ajit Pawar who has won the Baramati seven times Yugendra replied, “He (Ajit Pawar) won the election when he was supported by Saheb…Whoever Saheb supports will win the election.”

Speaking on the alleged audio of Congress leader Nana Patole and Supriya Sule Yugendra said, “I've not heard the audio clip because I've been very busy, this is my first election. But I believe Supriya tai wouldn't do anything like this.”

When asked about allegations of ‘sympathy politics’ on Sharad Pawar he remarked, “If you had followed the Baramati election campaign, you would know who is doing sympathy politics.”

MVA Baramati candidate Yugendra Pawar with his sister and parents during voting at Katewadi polling centre on Wednesday.

Call it what you will — parivarwaad, vanshwaad, or bhai-bhateejawaad — the role of political dynasties in India is hardly new. But it is a pervasive phenomenon staring us in the face today, no longer a story of just a handful of families that have dominated politics over the decades, such as the Gandhis, the Abdullahs, and the Karunanidhi clan.

One look at Maharashtra, which votes on Wednesday, and it suddenly hits you that virtually every district is dominated by one or even two families that have come to acquire huge political influence over the years, often more than the clout of their parties.

When a family changes its party affiliation — and this is now happening all the time in an increasingly ideologically flexible political space — their followers shift with them. Because they are old families and have known each other over generations, they also come to each other’s aid, as and when needed. And when the family clout increases and the stakes rise, political wars erupt within the families. Continue reading...

An hour after Ajit Pawar casts vote, his nephew, Yugendra Pawar, who is contesting from the same constituency under the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), arrived at the same booth to exercise his franchise.

Out to vote in Baramati, where Ajit Pawar is pitted against his nephew Yugendra, the Maharashtra Deputy CM said that he is confident that the ruling Mahayuti alliance (Shiv Sena, NCP and BJP) will return to power after winning a majority. “However, it is always difficult when the fight is against a family member,” he said. Pawar also spoke about the raging controversy surrounding BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde, saying that the “people of Baramati will think about it”.

RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat cast his vote on Wednesday in Nagpur, Maharashtra. Emphasizing the importance of voting, he stated, "In a democracy, voting is the responsibility of every citizen. It is a duty that must be fulfilled."

He further stated "I always prioritize voting above all else on polling day. I was in Uttarakhand and decided to cut short my trip by a day to ensure I could vote. I will return today."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday called on voters in Maharashtra and Jharkhand to participate enthusiastically in the assembly elections, emphasizing the importance of democratic participation. He appealed to women, youth, and first-time voters, highlighting their votes as a strength of the states. All 288 constituencies in Maharashtra and 38 of Jharkhand's 81 constituencies are voting in these phases.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat arrives on Wednesday at a polling booth to vote in Nagpur, Maharashtra.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar arrived to cast his vote at the Kathewadi Zilla Parishad school around 7:00 AM on Wednesday. He was accompanied by his wife Sunetra Pawar.

Ajit is contesting against NCP(SP) candidate and nephew Yugendra Pawar. While leaving the polling station, Ajit said, “It is always difficult when family is fighting against family… I wanted to fight this election with a positive campaign-like development...”

Voting begins in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. On Wednesday, all of Maharashtra’s 288 Assembly seats will be up for grabs in a single phase, while Jharkhand gears up for the second phase, with 38 out of 81 seats still in play in the second and final phase of polling.