Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has expressed his gratitude to the people of Maharashtra as the NDA alliance, known as Mahayuti, is poised for a landslide victory in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections. With the vote counting showing massive leads, Shinde thanked various sections of society, including farmers, women, senior citizens, and youth, acknowledging their role in the triumph.
Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Shinde confidently reiterated his earlier predictions, stating that Mahayuti would secure a “thumping majority.” He emphasized that the victory was a reflection of the people’s approval of the government’s work over the past two and a half years.
Shinde, who is contesting from the Kopri-Pachpakhadi assembly constituency in Thane, is leading by a massive margin of 45,979 votes against Sena(UBT) leader Kedar Dighe. His son, Shrikant Shinde, also lauded the victory, calling it a “people’s victory” and the “Maha Vijay of Mahayuti.” Shrikant highlighted the stark contrast between the Mahayuti’s development agenda and the opposition’s focus on criticism.
In the broader picture, the Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena, and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, is leading in 222 seats, with BJP candidate Kalidas Nilkanth Kolambar securing a win in Wadala by 24,973 votes. In contrast, the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which includes Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (Sharad Pawar), is trailing behind with leads in just 55 seats.
The 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections saw a voter turnout of 66.05%, surpassing the 61% recorded in the 2019 polls. The results largely align with the projections of exit polls, which had predicted an edge for the Mahayuti alliance, though some had suggested a closer contest between the two major alliances.
As the Mahayuti celebrates its decisive win, Shinde’s leadership appears to have resonated deeply with the electorate, reinforcing the alliance’s stronghold in Maharashtra.
