Exit Polls 2024: BJP Leads in Maharashtra and Jharkhand, Congress Questions Predictions 

As the results of the 2024 exit polls trickle in, the BJP appears to hold an edge in both Maharashtra and Jharkhand. These elections, considered pivotal for the political landscape ahead of the general elections, saw closely contested battles between BJP-led alliances and Congress-led opposition.

Maharashtra: A Tense Showdown

Maharashtra's 288 Assembly constituencies experienced a fierce competition between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Mahayuti alliance and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The BJP contested 149 seats, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) fielded candidates in 81 and Ajit Pawar's NCP contested 59 seats. On the opposition side, Congress contested 101 seats, while Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) fielded candidates in 95 and 86 constituencies, respectively.

Of course, heavyweights like CM Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, Aaditya Thackeray, and Ajit Pawar assure much contest in the state. More than 9.7 crore voters will decide the fate of 4,136 candidates as the state goes to polls. The exit polls have predicted an edge for the BJP, but the opposition has rubbished these predictions and termed them premature.

Jharkhand: Fierce Contest

Voting has just concluded in Jharkhand in two phases over 14,218 booths. The voter turnout has been 66.65% in the first phase. One of the tightest contests in India is a face-off between incumbent Congress-JMM coalition led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren and BJP-led opposition. Some prominent names are Babulal Marandi, Champai Soren, and Geeta Koda.

Over 1.23 crore voters, including 60.79 lakh women, to decide the fate of 528 contestants, including Hemant Soren, his wife Kalpana Soren, and BJP's Amar Kumar Bauri. Barring minor fluctuations, exit polls hint at BJP gaining momentum, but the ruling alliance remains confident.

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