As Maharashtra heads to the polls on Wednesday for single-phase voting, coinciding with the second phase of polling in Jharkhand. A total of 4,136 candidates are vying for seats in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, reflecting a 27.7% increase from the 3,239 candidates in the 2019 elections. The 288-seat assembly, historically dominated by BJP-Shiv Sena and Congress-NCP alliances, now faces a fragmented political landscape due to shifting alliances over the past two years.
Key Alliances and Candidates
Ruling Mahayuti Alliance:
- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): 149 candidates
- Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena: 81 candidates
- Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP): 59 candidates
Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA):
- Congress: 101 candidates
- Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT): 95 candidates
- Sharad Pawar-led NCP: 86 candidates
While alliances are competing head-to-head, some constituencies may witness friendly contests among partners within the coalitions.
Smaller Players Enter the Field
The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has fielded 237 candidates, while the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) is contesting 17 seats.
The elections are expected to draw significant attention as new political alignments test their influence in a reshaped electoral landscape.
Exit Polls and Results Timeline
Exit polls for Maharashtra’s elections will be available only after 6 PM on November 20, following the conclusion of voting in both Maharashtra and Jharkhand. The Election Commission’s guidelines prohibit exit poll results from being published on any platform—including print, broadcast, or online—before the specified time.
This measure ensures that voters are not influenced by early predictions. Media houses, polling organizations, and political entities have been instructed to adhere strictly to these rules to maintain the credibility of the electoral process.
The official results are expected to reveal the impact of the changing political alliances in one of India’s most politically significant states.