Maharashtra Casts Votes in Phase 2 of Jharkhand's High-Stakes Elections: 10 Points

With 288 assembly seats, Maharashtra has seen a fierce conflict between the opposition and the ruling Mahayuthi.

Voting for Maharashtra's future government, the final and most anticipated election of the year, started this morning. The remaining 38 seats in Jharkhand were also up for election. Saturday is when the votes will be counted.

1. With its 288 assembly seats, Maharashtra has seen a fierce conflict between the ruling Mahayuthi, which consists of the BJP, Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party, and Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi, which is a coalition of the Congress, Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena, and Sharad Pawar's NCP faction.
   
   
2. This is the ruling alliance's second opportunity to win the state, which in the Lok Sabha elections a few months ago made it clear that it disapproved of the three parties.
   
   
3. The Mahayuthi is relying largely on the "Ladli Behen Scheme" and other welfare programs run by the Eknath Shinde administration. According to Mr. Shinde, their plans encompass all facets of society.
   
   
4. After the political turmoil of the past two years, which includes rebellion and division between the Shiv Sena and the NCP, as well as the overthrow of the Uddhav Thackeray government, the opposition hopes that this election will follow the pattern of the Lok Sabha elections, which was a resounding demonstration of popular support.
   
   
5.  The opposition's campaign has been centered on welfare programs, caste censuses, quotas, and agricultural difficulties. However, according to party sources, the outcome is primarily anticipated to depend on local concerns.
   
   
6. On both sides, there is also doubt regarding the top job. The Shiv Sena, led by Eknath Shinde, is keen for him to regain his top position. According to numerous polls, he is a well-liked leader.
   
   
7. However, Devendra Fadnavis is waiting in the wings after missing the position the last time because of the BJP's need to appease Mr. Shinde and his rebels. And Amit Shah, the party's chief strategist, is supporting him this time.
   
   
8. Uddhav Thackeray is aiming for the top position in the Opposition MVA. However, the Congress, which is unwilling to resign following its dismal showing in the state during the Lok Sabha elections, could stop him. Prithviraj Chavan, a senior party leader, stated unequivocally that the party with the most MLAs would win the top position.
   
   
9. This second round of voting will determine the electoral fate of Hemant Soren, the chief minister of the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, his wife Kalpana Soren, and Amar Kumar Bauri, the leader of the opposition.
   
   
10. The race was close in the 2019 assembly elections, with the BJP gaining 25 seats compared to the JMM's 30 seats in 2014. With 47 seats, the JMM-Congress-RJD coalition secured a landslide majority.