Elections 2024 Result Highlights: Mahayuti gets stunning mandate in Maharashtra, Hemant Soren’s JMM-led alliance defeats BJP in Jharkhand 

The decline in Congress's vote share, coupled with gains for NCP (SP), significantly contributed to Mahayuti's strong performance. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Congress secured support across various caste and religious groups, but this backing has weakened over the past few months. The anticipated Maratha-OBC consolidation did not materialize, further affecting Congress’s position. As a result, most votes from Congress and other MVA partners shifted towards Mahayuti, particularly benefiting NCP (AP) and Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde), paving the way for their spectacular win in the state.

Amit Shah in his address today said that the state, known for its historical figures like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Babasaheb Ambedkar, Jyotiba Phule, and Veer Savarkar, has always prioritised culture, nation-building, and development. He noted that the overwhelming mandate for the Mahayuti alliance has silenced those who were spreading false narratives, declaring it a victory for every resident of Maharashtra.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray responded to the BJP's 'batenge toh katenge' slogan, stating that it failed to resonate with the public. He argued that issues like unemployment and inflation, which affect everyone, are more pressing and secular in nature. According to Thackeray, these concerns have overshadowed any political rhetoric, making the BJP's slogan ineffective.

Additionally, Gandhi praised Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for her resounding victory in the Wayanad bypoll in Kerala, marking her successful debut in electoral politics. He expressed great pride in his family's trust in Priyanka and expressed confidence that she would lead Wayanad with compassion and dedication, turning it into a symbol of progress and prosperity. Priyanka Gandhi won the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat by a large margin, which had previously been vacated by Rahul Gandhi following his dual election in both Rae Bareli and Wayanad during the 2019 parliamentary polls.

The BJP-led Mahayuti is oln its way to securing a massive victory in Maharashtra, leaving the MVA alliance far behind, while the opposition INDIA bloc has managed to successfully held onto Jharkhand. As vote counting began at 8 am, it quickly became clear that the BJP was heading for a sweeping win, leading or winning in 132 of the 149 seats it contested. The Mahayuti alliance, including Shiv Sena and NCP, was poised to capture 228 of the 288 Maharashtra assembly seats, leaving the MVA with just 47. Meanwhile, in Jharkhand, the JMM-led alliance, led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, was on track for a strong win, with the alliance securing around 56 seats out of 81, while the BJP lagged behind with only 20 seats.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who also served as the BJP's co-incharge for the Jharkhand assembly elections, expressed that the party's defeat was a significant personal disappointment. He extended his congratulations to the JMM-led alliance for their "impressive victory" and expressed confidence that under Chief Minister Hemant Soren's leadership, Jharkhand would continue to progress and develop.

Sarma acknowledged the party's efforts in Assam, where the BJP won all five by-elections, but emphasized that the loss in Jharkhand was particularly painful for him. He praised the dedication and hard work of the BJP workers in Jharkhand, who, according to him, gave their best throughout the election campaign.

Despite the defeat, Sarma underscored the importance of respecting the people's decision, stating that accepting the mandate was a core principle of democracy. In light of the setback, he reassured BJP workers of his continued support and solidarity.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde declared the assembly election results as historic, emphasizing that they clearly defined the rightful affiliations of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Shiv Sena. In a joint press conference, the BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP coalition, known as Mahayuti, expressed confidence in forming the next government smoothly, with the ruling alliance set to secure a decisive victory.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis noted that the electorate had rejected appeasement politics, reinforcing Prime Minister Modi's message of unity through "Ek Hai toh Safe Hai" (Unity is Safety). Meanwhile, NCP leader and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar assured that the coalition would not be swayed by its victory, promising a focus on financial discipline.

Both Shinde and Pawar reflected on the poor performance of opposition factions, suggesting that the election results had decisively settled the question of which groups the Shiv Sena and NCP truly belong to.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra expressed her excitement on Saturday about representing the people of Wayanad in Parliament, following her significant lead in the Wayanad Lok Sabha by-election in Kerala, where she secured over 4 lakh votes. She also extended her gratitude to her brother, Rahul Gandhi, for his constant support and guidance throughout the campaign.

The Congress General Secretary also met with party president Mallikarjun Kharge to thank him for his assistance during the election process. Together with Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi acknowledged the overwhelming support from the people of Wayanad. She praised their affection during her campaign visits and their strong turnout at the polls, attributing the victory to her brother's hard work and the trust the people had in both of them.

In a social media post, Priyanka Gandhi expressed her deep gratitude to the people of Wayanad for the trust they had placed in her. She vowed to ensure that this victory would truly feel like their own, promising to fight for their hopes and dreams in Parliament. She concluded by stating her eagerness to be their voice in the legislative body.

Fadnavis, speaking to the press, expressed gratitude to the voters and rejected opposition allegations of electoral fraud. He emphasised the alliance’s appreciation for the support from the people of Maharashtra, highlighting that the result reflected their trust in Prime Minister Modi. He noted that this trust increased their sense of responsibility, and they were committed to providing dedicated governance in return.

In response to Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut's accusations of EVM tampering, Fadnavis defended the integrity of the Election Commission. He pointed out that elections in Jharkhand were carried out fairly and that the EVMs were secure. He criticized the sudden allegations of EVM manipulation after the Mahayuti alliance's overwhelming victory, suggesting that such claims warranted self-reflection.

This triumph strengthens the Mahayuti coalition's foothold in Maharashtra, signaling a renewed commitment to governance under the leadership of PM Modi.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis remarked that he had previously compared himself to a modern-day Abhimanyu, capable of navigating through challenges. He acknowledged that while his contribution to the victory was modest, it was ultimately the success of the entire team.

When asked about the desire among NCP workers for his father to become the Chief Minister, Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar's son, Jay Pawar, expressed his agreement, noting that many people in Baramati also hope for this outcome. He acknowledged that the final decision would be made by senior leaders but emphasized that the people of Baramati would like to see his father in the role.

On the election results, Jay Pawar expressed his happiness, thanking voters for their continued trust in the Mahayuti alliance. He committed to working together for the progress of the state and Baramati, recognizing the respect and support his family has earned in the region.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, along with Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, will hold a press conference on Saturday after early trends indicated a massive victory for the Mahayuti alliance in the assembly elections. The leaders from BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP will address the media at Varsha Bungalow at 3 pm. Later in the day, Devendra Fadnavis will join BJP leaders and party workers at the Nariman Point office in Mumbai to celebrate their resounding win.

As per current ECI trends, JMM in Jharkhand is leading with 33 seats, BJP is trailing with 21 seats, and INC with 17 seats. IN Maharashtra, BJO is ahead with 131 seats, SHS is at the second position with 55, NCP and INC are at 40 and 19, respectively.

As the Mahayuti coalition appears set for a sweeping victory in the Maharashtra elections, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde clarified on Saturday that there is no fixed formula dictating that the party with the most seats will automatically claim the chief minister's position. He attributed the coalition's strong performance to his flagship initiative, the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana. Early trends suggest that the Mahayuti, consisting of the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, is on track to retain power in the state.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar expressed confidence in Congress' lead in all three Assembly bypolls, attributing the success to the party's focus on development. He emphasized that the victory reflects the public's rejection of false allegations and communal politics, signaling a shift towards progress-focused governance. Shivakumar remarked that this outcome serves as a strong message for the 2028 elections, underscoring the people's desire for a politics centered on development rather than division.