Maharashtra Election 2024 Highlights: The 288-member Maharashtra Assembly is gearing up to go to the polls in a single phase on November 20. The state is headed for a two-pronged fierce battle between the ruling Mahayuti, which includes the BJP, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which is a coalition of the Congress, the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), and the NCP led by Sharad Pawar.
The results of the Maharashtra Assembly election are scheduled to be announced on November 23. All the bigwigs of the BJP, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, have actively carried out campaigns in Maharashtra. From the MVA camp, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray have upped the ante to take on Mahayuti in the state. For live updates on the Maharashtra elections 2024, follow financialexpress.com.
Maharashtra Election 2024 Highlights: The key electoral contest in Maharashtra is between two alliances - ruling Mahayuti and Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). While the Mahayuti coalition comprises BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) faction, the MVA is a coalition of the Congress, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), and NCP (Sharad Pawar).
Maharashtra Assembly Election Live Updates: Ramtek Assembly Constituency Set for a Fierce Electoral Battl
Ramtek, a key assembly constituency in Maharashtra’s Nagpur district, is seeing an intriguing contest this election season. Once a stronghold for Congress and later a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) bastion, the constituency is witnessing a disruption with a former minister now running as an independent candidate.
Maharashtra Assembly Election Live Updates: Devendra Fadnavis urges ‘dharma-yudh of votes’ to fight with ‘vote-Jihad’
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis appealed to the citizens to engage in a ‘’dharma-yudh of votes’’ to face ‘vote-Jihad. His statement was a reaction to an appeal made by an Islamic scholar reportedly asking to vote against the BJP-led Mahayuti government in Maharashtra.
Maharashtra Assembly Election Live Updates: Raj Thackeray promises a ‘glorious’ Maharashtra if voted to power
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Friday appealed to the citizens to cast their vote to his party for transforming Maharashtra into a ‘’vabhavshali’’ (glorious) state. During speaking at rallies in Thane and Kalyan, Thackeray raised concern over the ongoing political instability and called for a complete overhaul of the system.
Maharashtra Assembly Election Live Updates: Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge accuses PM Modi of spreading misinformation
Karnataka IT Minister and senior Congress leader Priyank Kharge accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP of disseminating misinformation and showing a lack of interest in development. The minister also stated that industries are relocating from Maharashtra. He also alleged that the BJP is focussing on propaganda rather than progress.
Maharashtra Assembly Election Live Updates: Congress blames Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde of using Marathi TV serials for promotion
The Congress party has filed a complaint with the Election Commission (EC) blaming Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde are using Marathi TV serials for election campaigning. State Congress general secretary Sachin Sawant mentioned to the media that he has met with EC officials and submitted a formal complaint for this.
Maharashtra Assembly Election Live Updates: Mumbai Collector appeals for increased voter participation in upcoming election
The authorities of the Mumbai suburban district have appealed to residents to participate in the upcoming Maharashtra elections on November 20. The district collector Rajendra Kshirsagar and the additional election officer while addressing the media stated that voter turnout has been lower in both national and state averages. He underlined the significance of strong voter turnout for the democratic process.
Maharashtra Assembly Election Live Updates: MNS Chief Raj Thackeray presents ‘Nashik Model’ for urban development
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has released the party’s manifesto for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections which will take place on November 20. The manifesto includes a promise to replicate the ‘’Nashik model of development’’ to boost urban governance.
Maharashtra Assembly Election Live Updates: BJP will firmly uphold the constitution as visioned by Dr BR Ambedkar
Union Minister and BJP leader Nitin Gadkari while addressing an election rally in Ashti stated that BJP will not allow any changes in the constitution as drafted by Dr BR Ambedkar. He mentioned that Gadchiroli’s future is on track to become one of the most prosperous regions of Maharashtra. However, he blamed the forest department for creating hurdles in the development efforts in the Naxal-affected region.
BJP President JP Nadda criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and blamed him for lack of understanding of the Constitution. While addressing a public event, Nadda alleged that Rahul Gandhi’s proposals for reservations on religious grounds are just the opposite of the principles laid out by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution.
Maharashtra Assembly Election Live Updates: Amit Shah challenges Rahul Gandhi to hail Bal Thackeray and Savarkar
Union Home Minister Amit Shah dared Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, urging him to publicly hail Veer Savarkar and Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray. This statement was made by Shah during a rally in Hingoli, Maharashtra on Friday. The rally has been addressed given the upcoming state assembly elections which will take place on November 20.
Maharashtra Assembly Election Live Updates: On Ajit Pawar’s objection to Yogi’s ‘batenge to katenge’ slogan, a rejoinder by Devendra Fadnavis
After Ajit Pawar objected to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s clarion call for unity among Hindus with the slogan ‘batenge to katenge’, his counterpart Devendra Fadnavis defended Pawar’s opposition and said that “he was with anti-Hindu ideologies, it will take him time”.
During an interview with ANI, Devendra Fadnavis said, “For decades, Ajit Pawar has stayed with such ideologies which are secular and anti-Hindu. There is no real secularism amongst those who call themselves secularists. He has stayed with people for whom opposing Hindutva is secularism. There is no real secularism among those who call themselves secular.” Read more
Maharashtra Assembly Election Live Updates | Rahul Gandhi asks 'Why Gautam Adani was present at 2019 BJP-NCP meeting?'
Addressing a rally in the Nanded district in the Marathwada region on Thursday, Rahul Gandhi said, “Your government was snatched away from you… Don’t you think Narendra Modi was involved in that? Their own leader recently said that Adani was involved in the political meeting. Now, tell me why would Adani be present in a political meeting? It is because he wanted the Dharavi Redevelopment project.”
His statement comes days after Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar claimed Gautam Adani was part of the government formation talks “five years ago”. Rahul Gandhi alleged that the industrialist was involved in bringing down the MVA government to bag the Dharavi redevelopment project.
Maharashtra Assembly Election Live Updates | 'OBCs have already been cut': VBA chief on 'batenge toh katenge' row
Reacting to 'batenge toh katenge' slogan, which has spurred up a major political row in Maharashtra, Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) president Prakash Ambedkar told ANI, "OBCs have already been cut. Their reservation has been cut. This has been done by the BJP...their slogan is only for cutting and they are telling people that we are cutting you. People should understand and remove them from power."
Maharashtra Assembly Election Live Updates | 'All in Mahayuti will decide the CM': Ajit Pawar
On being asked whether he aspires to be the next Chief Minister, NCP leader & Maharashtra Dy CM Ajit Pawar told ANI, "Right now, nothing has to be said on this as 20th November nears. We want to focus on how Mahayuti will cross 175 (seats)...Later, all in Mahayuti will decide who will be the CM..."
Maharashtra Assembly Election Live Updates: Maharashtra’s wealthiest candidate has Rs 3,382 crore net worth. Who is he?
In the upcoming elections, BJP candidate Parag Shah is the richest candidate with a net worth of Rs 3,382 crore. The saffron party has fielded Shah from the Ghatkopar East in the November 20 election again.
Shah, 55, and his wife have declared combined assets of Rs 3,382 crore. This includes Rs 3,315 crore movable and Rs 67 crore immovable assets. Of the Rs 3,315 crore in the movable asset section, Shah has declared Rs 2,179 crore in his name (self) and about Rs 1,136 crore in his spouse’s name.
Maharashtra Election 2024 Live Updates | 'Door has definitely been closed for Uddhav Thackeray': Fadnavis
On being asked "Has the door (in Mahayuti) been closed for Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray?", Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, "...It has definitely been closed and there will be no need for it... The 2019 election has taught me that anything can happen in politics... Now there will be no need... People will give a decisive majority to Mahayuti this time."
Maharashtra Election 2024 Live Updates: 'MVA has started licking soles of Muslim Ulemas', says Fadnavis
When asked about the Ulema Board letter issue, Maharashtra Deputy CM and Nagpur South West seat candidate Devendra Fadnavis said, "Maha Vikas Aghadi has started licking the soles of Muslim Ulemas. Just now the Ulema Council declared its support to them, they had put forth 17 demands and MVA has given a formal letter that we accept those 17 demands."
"I have no objection to that, if someone puts forth any demands, if someone accepts any demands. One of the demands is to take back the cases that were registered on the people of the Muslim community during the riots that took place in Maharashtra from 2012 to 2024. What kind of politics is this?" Fadnavis questioned.
Maharashtra Election 2024 Live Updates: Shivraj Singh Chouhan assures relief to soybean farmers
While campaigning for Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in the Nagpur South West seat, Shivraj Singh Chouhan assured relief to soybean farmers.
He said, “I want to tell farmers that soybean will be taken at the procurement centre even if moisture is 15 per cent against the earlier limit of 12 per cent."
Maharashtra Election 2024 Live Updates: BJP's Ashok Chavan opposes 'batenge toh katenge' slogan, says, 'not in good taste'
With several BJP leaders and allies coming out and opposing UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's slogan 'batenge toh katenge' (divided we fall), now BJP leader Ashok Chavan opposed it and said that the slogan is "not in good taste"
Chavan told PTI, “There is no relevance of this (slogan). Slogans are given at election time. This particular slogan is not in good taste and I don’t think people will appreciate it. Personally speaking, I am not in favour of such slogans.”
“Every political functionary has to take a decision after a lot of thinking. We also have to see that nobody’s sentiments are hurt,” the BJP leader added, while speaking at Ardhapur in Nanded during his election campaign for the Mahayuti.
Maharashtra Election 2024 Live Updates: Rahul Gandhi hits out at PM Modi over Manipur turmoil
While addressing a poll rally in Maharashtra's Nanded, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over him not visiting Manipur amid ongoing unrest.
“Never before in India’s history has a Prime Minister not visited a state engulfed in turmoil for over a year,” said Rahul Gandhi, in context to Manipur violence.
Maharashtra Election 2024 Live Updates: Rahul Gandhi savours sugarcane juice after poll rally
After addressing a poll rally in Maharashtra, Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi savoured sugarcane juice at a street-side stall on Thursday.
After addressing the rally, he visited the Central Bus Stand before heading to the airport, had juice and interacted with local women.
Maharashtra Election 2024 Live Updates: Schools in state to close on polling day?
The Maharashtra government on Thursday directed the state education commissioner to grant principals the authority to declare school holidays on November 17, 18, and 19, an official announced. The decision was made in response to requests from various teacher unions, as many teachers will be engaged in poll duty.
Polling is scheduled for November 20, a mid-week date intended to encourage higher voter turnout, with results set to be announced on November 23.
Maharashtra Election 2024 Live Updates: 'Batenge to katenge' slogan is about unity, says Fadnavis
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday defended his party’s controversial slogan, ‘batenge to katenge,’ describing it as a response to the Maha Vikas Aghadi's (MVA) campaign. Fadnavis argued that even his colleagues, including Ashok Chavan, Pankaja Munde, and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, had misunderstood the slogan's deeper meaning.
Fadnavis clarified that the slogan, which translates to “disunity will lead to destruction,” is aimed at countering what he called the divisive narrative of the Congress-led MVA. Speaking to a group of journalists, he explained that the essence of the slogan emphasizes unity, urging everyone to remain together to prevent division.
The phrase, often repeated by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during rallies for the upcoming November 20 Maharashtra elections, has sparked backlash from the opposition, which has labeled it as having communal undertones. Some members within the ruling alliance have also expressed reservations.
Maharashtra Election 2024 Live Updates: Over 4,000 candidates in fray
A total of 4,136 candidates are contesting the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections on November 20, marking a 27.7% increase compared to five years ago. Among them, 2,086 are independent candidates.
The Election Commission released the final candidate figures on Thursday, following withdrawals and the scrutiny process, as election campaigning continues at full pace.
In the 2019 elections, which saw a face-off between the BJP-Shiv Sena and Congress-NCP alliances, 3,239 candidates were in the fray.
Maharashtra Election 2024 Live Updates: 'Who in Cong has said Article 370 will be restored? Shah spreading lies'
AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday refuted Union Home Minister Amit Shah's claim that the Congress plans to reinstate Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir, emphasizing that the provision was repealed by Parliament.
Kharge accused the BJP of keeping the Article 370 issue alive to create societal divisions. Speaking at a press conference in Pune, he also criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for attacking the Congress and its senior leaders, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
“Amit Shah accuses the Congress of spreading lies in his campaign speeches. But he himself claims that the Congress wants to bring back Article 370 in J&K. Tell me, who said that and when?” Kharge questioned. “If the resolution to repeal Article 370 was already passed in Parliament, why bring it up again? This shows you want to keep the issue alive to divide society. If you really mean it, go to Kashmir and say it. Elections there are already over,” he added.
Maharashtra Election 2024 Live Updates: PM Modi taunts Uddhav for handing over remote to Cong
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday took a jab at Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, accusing him of “handing over the remote control” of his party to the Congress.
Addressing his final public rally ahead of the November 20 Maharashtra assembly elections, Modi remarked, “Mumbai is a city of self-respect, but a party in the Maha Vikas Aghadi has surrendered its ‘remote control’ to those who insulted Balasaheb Thackeray.”
He added, “I challenged them to make the Congress praise Balasaheb Thackeray. So far, they have failed to get the Congress and the ‘Prince’ of Congress to do so.”
Maharashtra Election 2024 Live Updates: PM Modi on Shiv Sena (UBT)
A party in Maha Vikas Aghadi has handed over its “remote control” to those who insulted Balasaheb Thackeray: PM Modi on Shiv Sena (UBT)
Private bus fares across various routes in Maharashtra have surged as thousands of voters prepare to travel to their hometowns to cast their votes in the upcoming assembly elections. Travel booking agents and bus operators informed PTI that ticket prices on routes connecting Mumbai to regions such as western Maharashtra, Konkan, Marathwada, and northern Maharashtra have nearly doubled for November 19 and 20.
Voting for Maharashtra’s 288 assembly constituencies will take place in a single phase on November 20. A travel booking agent from Dadar noted that ticket prices on routes like Mumbai-Kolhapur, which had dropped to Rs 500 to Rs 700 after Diwali, have now almost doubled ahead of the election.
Maharashtra Election 2024 Live Updates: Rahul hits out at PM Modi in Maharashtra poll rally
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said Prime Minister Narendra Modi would have pursued different policies if he had read the Constitution of India.
Speaking at a rally here ahead of the November 20 Maharashtra assembly elections as well as the Nanded Lok Sabha byelection, Gandhi said the Constitution does not teach us to discriminate between the rich and the poor.
"Modi has waived loans of Rs 16 lakh crore of 25 rich people, but not the loans of the poor and farmers,' he claimed, adding that this is not what the Constitution teaches you.
Maharashtra Election 2024 Live Updates: Maharashtra fallen into wrong hands, claims Sharad Pawar
NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar claimed that Maharashtra has fallen into the wrong hands in the past few years and has suffered a decline.
He was in the Chinchwad assembly constituency in Pune district to canvass for his party candidate Rahul Kalate, who faces off against BJP's Shankar Jagtap in the November 20 Maharashtra polls.
Pawar took part in a roadshow and addressed a public gathering in support of Kalate.
“Maharashtra was once ranked number one in the country but it has fallen into the wrong hands in recent times leading to the state's downfall,” he said.
The NCP (SP) president said the Chinchwad constituency lacks even basic infrastructure. The Pimpri-Chinchwad area near Pune is an auto hub.
“Those in power here for the last 10 years didn't complete any development projects. It's time for the transformation of Chinchwad,” he said, and urged the public to vote for Kalate.
Pawar said Kalate has huge experience as he was earlier a corporator from the area. “I am sure good days will be back here,” he added.