Will Better Lok Sabha Tally, Says BJP As Exit Polls Predict Mahayuti Victory, MVA Slams ‘Fake’ Figures – News18

Last Updated:November 20, 2024, 21:59 IST

Maharashtra Exit Poll Results 2024: The Mahayuti leaders called the figures a vindication of their development schemes in the state while the MVA expressed confidence that they would prove the numbers wrong and emerge victorious

Exit polls on Wednesday gave a clear edge to the BJP-led alliance in Maharashtra, with just one putting the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition ahead in the western state. In the 288-member Maharashtra assembly, 145 is the majority mark, and counting of votes will take place on November 23.

ABP-Matrize has predicted 150-170 seats for Mahayuti and 110-130 for MVA. P-MarQ has predicted 137-157 seats for the Mahayuti and 126-146 for the MVA. Chanakya has predicted 152-160 seats for Mahayuti and 130-138 for the MVA. While Poll Diary has predicted 137-157 seats for Mahayuti, the projection for MVA is 126-146. People’s Pulse has predicted 182 seats for the Mahayuti and 97 for the MVA. Lokshahi Marathi-Rudra has predicted a neck-and-neck fight with 128-142 seats for the Mahayuti and 125-140 for the MVA.

On the other hand, the poll conducted by Electoral Edge predicted MVA to win 150 seats while giving 121 seats to BJP-led Mahayuti and 20 seats to others in Maharashtra.

Chanakya Strategies, another pollster, predicted 152-160 seats for Mahayuti and 130-138 seats for MVA while giving 6-8 seats for others in Maharashtra.

Lokshahi Rudra has predicted a close fight between Mahayuti and MVA in Maharashtra and gave them 128-142 seats and 125-140 respectively. It gave others 18-23 seats.

The exit poll by Lokpoll gave Mahayuti 115-128 seats, with 37-40 per cent vote share, and predicted victory for MVA in 151-162 seats, giving them 43-46 per cent vote share. It gave others 5-14 seats with a vote share of 16-19 per cent.

Reacting to the results, BJP’s Pankaja Munde told CNN-News18 that people have understood the “fake narrative” set by the Maha Vikas Aghadi. “I am sure Mahayuti will get clear majority. The narrative in Lok Sabha and state elections is totally different. We will win a large number of seats in the Vidarbha region and better our tally.”

Milind Deora, who left the Congress and joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena in January and will face off against Aaditya Thackeray from the Worli seat, said Mahayuti had brought about development in the state. “We have busted the fake narrative of the Maha Vikas Aghadi. Chief minister Eknath Shinde enjoys a popular image. I have a strong connection with Worli and regardless of the result, I will keep working for Worli.”

Maharashtra’s cabinet minister Deepak Kesarkar also exuded confidence that the Mahayuti will return. “We are coming back to power. Unfortunately, due to the decision taken by Uddhav Thackeray to join NCP and Congress, we could not come to power earlier. This time, our welfare schemes have connected well with the people.”

Praising the coalition government, Kesarkar said: “Our original ‘yuti’ [alliance] was with BJP and after Ajit Pawar joined us, we became Mahayuti. Ajit Pawar’s candidates are very strong in their constituencies.”

The MVA, however, chose to disregard the exit polls, saying they had lost their credibility. “Atul Londhe, chief spokesperson of Maharashtra Congress, said: “We are not taking part in the exit polls. We trust only exact polls. Maha Vikas Aghadi will get a comfortable victory to form the government.”

Congress in-charge for Maharashtra, Ramesh Chennithala, too echoed the sentiment. “Maha Vikas Aghadi is very confident of forming the government in Maharashtra. In the state, the people are against the present-day government. Exit polls are not reflecting the reality… People’s sentiments are with us… We are touching on real issues. BJP was always resorting to dividing people on communal lines. I feel people in Maharashtra will vote for Maha Vikas Aghadi and we will form the government. Exit polls are not telling the reality.”

Congress leader Nana Patole also said the exit poll numbers would be proved wrong. “MVA will form the government in Maharashtra with majority. Exit polls give wrong figures. Issues like farmer suicides are crucial and youth and women are unhappy with Mahayuti. In Vidarbha, we will win at least 45 seats.” Patole said the situation in Haryana will repeat in Maharashtra where exit polls were proved wrong.