Maharashtra Assembly Election 2024: Who will be the new ruler of Maratha Bhoomi
Nov 23, 2024, Maharashtra:- The results of the Maharashtra Assembly Election 2024 will be declared on November 23, 2024, following the completion of voting for all 288 assembly seats on November 20. The election witnessed a high-stakes contest between the ruling NDA (Mahayuti alliance) led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which includes the Congress, NCP, and Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena faction.
The Mahayuti alliance aims to retain power, while the MVA hopes for a significant comeback. Voter turnout reached 58.41%, with key constituencies like Mumbai recording lower participation than rural areas like Gadchiroli. The results will be crucial in shaping Maharashtra's political landscape and addressing inflation, unemployment, and infrastructure development.
In the 2019 assembly polls, the undivided Shiv Sena and BJP alliance won a majority.
However, the BJP had a disagreement with Uddhav over the Chief Ministership. After this Ajit, the nephew of the then undivided NCP chief Sharad Pawar joined hands with the BJP as a 'rebel'. BJP's Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as Chief Minister with his support. Ajit became the Deputy Chief Minister. However, both of them had to resign after failing to catch the split in the NCP council party. After this, Ajit again took refuge in Sharad's camp. Sharad made him deputy chief minister in the Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray-led Mahavikash Aghaari coalition government.
But in June 2022, the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde broke down and the Mahavikash Aghari government fell. Shinde became the Chief Minister with the support of the BJP. After this, on July 2, 2023, Ajith left Sharad and rebelled with most of the NCP MLAs. He also became the Deputy Chief Minister of the 'Mahayuti' government led by Shinde. But after the NDA's loss to 'India' in the Lok Sabha polls, the disagreements between Ajith and the BJP leadership have come to light several times. As a result, there are indications of the possibility of a 'new equation' after the polls in Maratha Bhoomi.