Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has established a commanding lead of 53, 502 votes over his nephew and debutant candidate, Yugendra Pawar, in the Baramati assembly constituency during the early rounds of counting. Seeking his eighth term, Ajit Pawar, a senior leader of the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), has secured 99,487 votes after 20 rounds of counting. In contrast, his nephew, representing the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP), has garnered 45,985 votes.
The Baramati constituency, a historical stronghold of NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, is expected to witness 20 rounds of counting. This high-stakes family clash comes on the heels of the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year, where NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule defeated Ajit Pawar’s wife, Sunetra, by a margin of over 1.5 lakh votes, further intensifying the political rivalry.
Ambegaon Contest: Walse Patil Holds Narrow Lead
In another key battle in Pune district, ruling MLA Dilip Walse Patil of Ajit Pawar’s NCP leads by 4,384 votes over Devdatta Nikam, the NCP (SP) candidate, in the Ambegaon assembly seat. By the 10th round of counting, Walse Patil had polled 53,673 votes, while Nikam secured 49,289. The constituency will see a total of 19 counting rounds.
Maharashtra Election Trends: Mahayuti Heads for Landslide Victory
The latest trends from the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections indicate that the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is heading for a decisive win. By 11:00 AM, the alliance had crossed the majority mark, leading in 220 seats. Celebrations erupted at the BJP office in Mumbai, with party workers distributing sweets to mark the occasion.
- BJP: Leading in 128 seats, spearheading the alliance’s charge.
- Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena: Following with 55 seats.
- Ajit Pawar-led NCP: Leading in 35 seats.
- Rashtriya Yuva Swabhiman Party (RSHYVSWBHM): Leading in 2 seats.
The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), comprising Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (SP), trails significantly, securing leads in 51 seats collectively.
- Congress: Leading in 20 seats.
- Shiv Sena (UBT): Leading in 16 seats.
- Sharad Pawar’s NCP (SP): Leading in 13 seats.
Reactions and Implications
As the Mahayuti alliance celebrates its apparent victory, opposition leaders have questioned the authenticity of the results. Shiv Sena UBT leader Sanjay Raut commented, “This cannot be the decision of the people of Maharashtra,” sparking sharp criticism from BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla.
“When anyone loses, they start making excuses for their defeat… In Maharashtra, we have worked for the poor, upliftment of women, and enhancement of farmers’ heritage. Today, under PM Narendra Modi’s leadership, the BJP-led government is set to be formed with a huge majority,” Poonawalla said.
With the Mahayuti alliance poised for a landslide win, attention now shifts to the post of Chief Minister. The BJP’s stellar performance, coupled with the Shiv Sena’s significant contribution, sets the stage for the next phase of governance in Maharashtra. Meanwhile, the family battle in Baramati serves as a microcosm of the broader political shifts within the state, making it a contest to watch as the final results are declared.