The ruling Mahayuti is projected to retain power in Maharashtra with at least five exit polls predicting a majority for the BJP-led alliance while two have predicted a closer fight with the possibility of a hung Assembly. A poll of polls as per the projections available so far predict 151 seats for the Mahayuti, 129 seats for the Maha Vikas Aghadi and 8 seats for Others.
According to the P-Marq exit poll for Maharashtra, the Mahayuti alliance is expected to win 137-157 of the 288 Assembly seats in the state, placing it above the majority mark of 145 seats. The Maha Vikas Aghadi, on the other hand, is expected to win 126-146 seats while Others are likely to bag 2-8 seats.
The ABP-Matrize exit poll of Maharashtra, on the other hand, predicts a clearer edge for the Mahayuti of the BJP, Shiv Sena and the NCP. As per the exit poll prediction, the Mahayuti is expected to win 150-170 seats while the MVA is expected to win 110-130 seats.
A party-wise break-up of the projections for the Mahayuti showed the BJP winning 89-101 seats, the Shiv Sena 37-45 seats and the NCP bagging 17-26 seats, the ABP-Matrize exit poll data showed.
The ABP-Matrize exit poll predictions for the MVA shows the Congress projected to win 39-47 seats, the Shiv Sena (UBT) 21-29 seats and the NCP(SP) winning 35-43 seats.
The BJP contested 149 seats, Shiv Sena 81 seats, while the Ajit Pawar-led NCP fielded candidates in 59 constituencies. In the opposition camp, the Congress fielded 101 candidates, Shiv Sena (UBT) 95, and the NCP (SP) 86.
The Chanakya Strategies exit poll for Maharashtra also predicted a big win for the ruling Mahayuti, projecting 150 to 162 seats for the NDA and 130 to 138 seats for the Maha Vika Aghadi.
The Poll Diary exit poll for Maharashtra also showed the Mahayuti heading towards a clear victory with 122-186 for the ruling alliance, 69-121 seats for the Maha Vikas Aghadi and 12-29 seats for Others.
While a majority of exit polls have predicted a clear victory for the Mahayuti, there are at least two exit polls which have projected a close contest and the possibility of a hung Assembly in Maharashtra.
According to the Dainik Bhaskar exit poll, the BJP-led Mahayuti is likely to win 125-140 seats while the Maha Vikas Aghadi is projected to win anywhere between 135-150 seats. Others are likely to bag 20-25 seats.
The Lokshahi Marathi Rudra exit poll has also predicted a hung Assembly in Maharashtra. As per its projections, the Mahayuti is expected to win 128-142 seats while the MVA is likely to win 125-140 seats in the 288-member Assembly.
Maharashtra Exit Poll Predictions: Boost for Modi
The elections in Maharashtra came as a big test for regional satraps as well as national parties with its impact likely to be visible much beyond the borders of the state. The exit polls, if they hold true, would come as a big boost to the BJP-led NDA as well as Prime Minister Narendra Modi in terms of the impact the result would have on national politics.
For the BJP, the elections are being seen as a test for ‘Brand Modi’ and whether it has withstood the test of time, and also if he has been able to consolidate the support of Dalits and OBCs after the setback in the Lok Sabha elections.
Maharashtra Assembly elections: A test for bigwigs
The elections in Maharashtra come after a tumultuous five years that saw some tectonic shifts in its political landscape. The election this year saw two new regional players in the fray, including the Eknath Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena as well as the Ajit Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party.
While 37 seats saw the NCP factions square off against each other, there are 51 seats where candidates from the Sena factions were locked in a direct contest.
The stakes could not be higher for a number of regional heavyweights like Sharad Pawar, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, his predecessor Uddhav Thackeray and deputy CM Ajit Pawar. The two Pawars, Shinde and Thackeray engaged in an intense and riveting battle to seek popular legitimacy for their parties. The outcome could well mark the end of the road for at least two of them.
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