Voting for Maharashtra’s 48 Lok Sabha seats, which commenced on April 19, 2024, concluded in five phases, wrapping up on May 20, 2024. The polling dates were spread out as follows: April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13, and May 20. Maharashtra, with its significant political weight, ranks second in the number of Lok Sabha seats, trailing only Uttar Pradesh, which has 80 seats.
Key Alliances and Candidates
The electoral battlefield in Maharashtra saw two major alliances locking horns:
- Maha Vikas Agadhi (MVA): This coalition includes Congress, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction).
- Mahayuti: Comprising BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s faction of the NCP.
Among the prominent candidates in this election were:
- Nitin Gadkari (BJP) from Nagpur
- Piyush Goyal (BJP) from Mumbai North
- Supriya Sule (NCP-SP) from Baramati
- Shrikant Shinde (Shiv Sena) from Kalyan
Voter Turnout
The overall voter turnout in Maharashtra was 61.33% across all five phases. The Gadchiroli–Chimur constituency recorded the highest turnout at 71.88%, while the fifth phase saw the lowest turnout at 56.89%.
Exit Poll Predictions
As the state awaits the final results, exit polls have provided a glimpse into the possible outcomes. The ABP-C-Voter exit poll projections for Maharashtra are as follows:
- Mahayuti: 22-26 seats
- MVA: 23-24 seats
- Others: Varied across individual parties
Party-wise Seat Share Prediction:
- BJP: 17 seats
- Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde): 6 seats
- Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray): 9 seats
- Congress (INC): 8 seats
- NCP (Ajit Pawar): 1 seat
- NCP (Sharad Pawar): 9 seats
- Others: 1 seat
These predictions are based on the analysis of voter sentiment and ground reports, and actual results may vary. The final election results will be announced on June 4, 2024.
Historical Context
Reflecting on previous elections provides context for the current political dynamics:
- 2019 Lok Sabha Results in Maharashtra:
- BJP: 23 seats
- NCP: 4 seats
- Shiv Sena: 18 seats
- Congress: 1 seat
- The BJP-led NDA secured a total of 41 seats.
- 2014 Lok Sabha Results in Maharashtra:
- BJP: 23 seats
- NCP: 4 seats
- Congress: 2 seats
- Shiv Sena: 18 seats
- The BJP-led alliance garnered a total of 42 seats.
As Maharashtra eagerly anticipates the 2024 results, the tight race suggested by exit polls underscores the state’s pivotal role in shaping the national political landscape. The outcomes will not only reflect the current political climate but also set the stage for future alliances and power dynamics.
