Sena-BJP Coalition All Set To Return To Power In Maharashtra, Dushyant Chautala Becomes Kingmaker In Haryana

The voting in Maharashtra’s 288 constituencies and Haryana’s 90 constituencies were held on October 21. Maharashtra had recorded 61.3% voters while the voter turnout in Haryana was 68.31%. BJP-Shiv Sena alliance has been able to retain the power in Maharashtra, while it is a hung assembly in Haryana. Counting of votes is still going on.

Haryana Elections

With the BJP appearing to be falling short of a majority in Haryana, former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda has asked Dushyant Singh Chautala’s Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) and the Independents to join hands with his party to keep the BJP out of power in the state.

The counting of votes in Haryana began at 8 am. While most exit polls projected a comfortable victory for the Bharatiya Janata Party, a close fight between the BJP and Congress with the Jannayak Janta Party likely to play kingmaker was also predicted.

“I thank the people of Haryana for blessing us. We will continue to work with the same zeal and dedication for the state’s progress. I laud the efforts of hardworking @BJP4Haryana Karyakartas who toiled extensively and went among the people to elaborate on our development agenda,” PM Modi tweeted after the result was clear.

Key Highlights:

1. Outgoing Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar (Karnal) – is leading from Karnal.
2. Former Haryana chief minister and Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda (Garhi Sampla-Kiloi): Leading
3. Randeep Surjewala: The noted Congress spokesperson lost to ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s Leela Ram Gujjar from the Kaithal Assembly constituency
4. Dushyant Chautala: The JJP chief has won from Uchana Kalan.
5. Abhay Singh Chautala, who is the son of former CM and INLD chief O P Chautala, has won from Ellenabad.
6. Wrestler and Olympic medallist Yogeshwar Dutt’s star-power lost to Sri Krishan Hooda of Congress.
   

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Maharashtra Elections

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena alliance are all set to return to power for the second consecutive time in Maharashtra, but with a reduced seat tally.

The Shiv Sena, which contested on 126 seats, is leading on 56, a few shorter than the 63 it won in 2014 when it broke ties with the BJP and went solo in all 288 seats of the state. In Maharashtra though, BJP and Shiv Sena look all set to retain power and are well placed to cross the half-way mark.

Speaking on the current situation, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said it was “time to implement the 50:50 formula”. “We reached the formula when Amit Shah came to my house. Now is the time to implement that,” Uddhav Thackeray said.

Key Highlights:

1. Aditya Thackeray won from Worli
2. Former CM Ashok Chavan of INC won from Bhokar
3. Top Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan also won from Karad South
4. Ajit Pawar of NCP won from Baramati
5. Pankaja Munde of BJP lost from Parli
6. Chandrakantdada Patil of BJP won from Kothrud

Aaditya Thackeray won from the Worli assembly constituency in Mumbai today, defeating his NCP rival by over 70,000 votes. He is the first of his family to contest elections since his grandfather Bal Thackeray founded the Shiv Sena in 1966.

People of Maharashtra have blessed the NDA with immense affection. We are humbled to have got the people’s support yet again. Our work towards Maharashtra’s progress continues! I salute each and every Karyakarta of the BJP, Shiv Sena and our entire NDA family for their hardwork.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 24, 2019

The key candidates in the Maharashtra Assembly election are Devendra Fadnavis (Nagpur South West), Aditya Thackeray (Worli), Ajit Pawar (Baramati), Prithviraj Chavan (Karad South), and Ashok Chavan (Bhokar).

While speaking to the media, Congress’s DS Hooda alleged that BJP was trying to pressurise Independents, who are leading at present. On the other hand, Dushyant Chautala of JJP, leading in eight seats currently, claimed that he’s neither the king nor the kingmaker and that he won’t make any decision alone.

I bow to the people of Maharashtra for their trust in BJP-SS alliance. I assure that under the guidance of @narendramodi Ji, our Gov will leave no stone unturned in furthering the development journey of state.
Congratulations to CM @Dev_Fadnavis ,President @ChDadaPatil & workers.

— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) October 24, 2019

To form the government in Maharashtra, the winning party or alliance needs to win a minimum of 145 seats, while the majority mark in Haryana remains 46 seats.

Also Read: How Votes Are Counted In Indian Elections?