- #HGWORLD
- #HGCREATORS
- #HGEXPLORE
- #HGVOICES
- #HGSHOP
- CAREERS
- ABOUT US
- CONTACT US
Maharashtra goes to polls on November 20, 2024 to vote in a single phase. Counting of votes and results will be declared on November 23.
The State braces for an intense two-way contest between two coalitions: the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), and the Mahayuti Alliance. MVA consists of Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (Sharad Pawar), and Congress. While Mahayuti brings together BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde), and NCP (Ajit Pawar).
The 288-member Maharashtra Legislative Assembly’s current term ends on November 26. Among the 288 seats, 234 are general constituencies, while 29 are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) and 25 are reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST).
A Quick Refresher:
The 2019 Maharashtra Legislative Assembly election initially saw the BJP-led NDA secure a majority. However, disagreements over power-sharing led to the Shiv Sena exiting the alliance, resulting in political deadlock and the imposition of President’s Rule. On November 23, 2019, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar briefly took office as Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister but resigned before a floor test. This allowed the formation of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition by the Shiv Sena, Congress, and NCP, with Uddhav Thackeray as Chief Minister.
In 2022, Eknath Shinde led a factional split in Shiv Sena, forming a government with the BJP and becoming Chief Minister, while Fadnavis became his deputy. Further changes occurred in 2023 when Ajit Pawar’s faction of the NCP joined the government.
In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Maha Vikas Aghadi won 30 out of 48 seats, while the BJP-led Maha Yuti alliance secured 17 seats. This reflected the ongoing shifts and realignments in Maharashtra’s political scene.
I already voted for the Lok Sabha. Why do Assembly Elections matter?
Assembly elections directly impact your day-to-day life in ways that Lok Sabha elections cannot. While the Lok Sabha elections determine the central government and influence national policies, Assembly elections shape the governance at the state level, deciding who will handle local issues like education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, and public welfare schemes.
For Maharashtra, the upcoming election isn't just about who holds power but also about how the state's unique challenges — water scarcity, regional disparities, farmer distress, urban development, and caste dynamics — are addressed. The elected representatives in the Assembly will drive policies tailored to the state's diverse needs, often determining how national policies translate on the ground.
Voting in the Assembly elections gives you a voice in shaping the leadership and direction of your city. It's distinct, yet still deeply connected to the national narrative.
