Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday, November 23, 2024, hailed the Assembly election results as historic, asserting that they clarified the true allegiances of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Shiv Sena. The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, which includes the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, is set to form the state government within three days, with winning MLAs directed to assemble in Mumbai immediately.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis attributed the victory to the public’s rejection of appeasement politics and their embrace of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unity-driven message, “Ek Hai Toh Safe Hai” (United We Stand). Mr. Shinde emphasized that the three parties had reached an amicable agreement on seat-sharing, ensuring a smooth process for government formation.
According to the Election Commission’s final tally, the Mahayuti alliance secured a commanding victory, winning 233 out of 288 Assembly seats. In contrast, the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) managed only 50 seats.
Meanwhile, Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange addressed speculation about his movement’s influence on the elections. Refuting claims that his stir had no impact, Jarange clarified that he neither contested the polls nor endorsed any candidate.
“How can one say the Jarange factor failed in the assembly polls when I neither contested nor supported anyone? My goal was to free the Maratha community from political exploitation and empower them to vote independently,” he stated.
Expressing satisfaction with the outcome, Jarange highlighted that 204 Marathas were elected to the 288-member Assembly, reflecting significant representation for the community.
