 announced the schedule for the highly anticipated Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly elections today at 3:30 PM IST.){kind=link}
The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the schedule for the highly anticipated Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly elections. The voting for the Maharashtra assembly elections is scheduled for November 20, with results to be revealed on November 23, as announced by the Election Commission of India.
Meanwhile, the Jharkhand Assembly elections will occur in two phases—on November 13 and November 20. The results will be declared on November 23. During a press conference on Tuesday, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said India is establishing gold standards in every election.
This announcement came at a crucial time, as the 288-seat Maharashtra Assembly will end its term on November 26, necessitating elections to be organized. Meanwhile, the term of the 81-member Jharkhand Assembly ends on January 5, 2025.
What are the Key Political Alliances in Maharashtra and Jharkhand?
The political scene in Maharashtra is buzzing with activity. The Mahayuti alliance, which includes the BJP and Shiv Sena, is gearing up for the upcoming assembly elections on November 20. Additionally, the NCP (The Nationalist Congress Party is one of the state parties which refers to the Ajit Pawar faction), faces off against the opposition alliance known as Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The MVA comprises Congress and the Uddhav Thackeray faction of Shiv Sena.
In Jharkhand, the current Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), part of the INDIA bloc will contest against the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which includes the All-Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) and the Janata Dal (United).
What are the Current Political Landscapes in Maharashtra and Jharkhand?
The Maharashtra Assembly’s term will end on November 26, while the Jharkhand Assembly’s term will end on January 5, 2025. The Mahayuti government led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, currently governs Maharashtra. The ruling alliance comprises the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP), Shiv Sena-Eknath Shinde, and NCP-Ajit Pawar, with a total of 288 seats in the assembly.
In Jharkhand, the government is led by the JMM-Congress alliance, with Hemant Soren serving as Chief Minister. The state has 81 legislative assembly seats.
What Changes Have Been Proposed by the Maharashtra Cabinet Before Elections?
The Maharashtra Cabinet has suggested increasing the annual income threshold for OBC non-creamy layer candidates from IN ₹8 lakhs to IN ₹15 lakhs ahead of the upcoming elections. Furthermore, it was announced that light motor vehicles entering Mumbai will be exempted from toll tax.
Moreover, there were speculations that the Maharashtra assembly elections would coincide with those in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir, but the Election Commission of India has chosen to set a different schedule.
The spokesperson of Shiv Sena (UBT) Anand Dubey, criticized the timing of the ECI announcement, implying it was swayed by political influences. Dubey asserted that the Jharkhand and Maharashtra elections should have been aligned with those in Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana.
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar explained that logistical challenges and the requirement of enhanced security measures in Jammu and Kashmir prompted this decision.
How Did the Announcement Shaped Elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand?
The announcement is poised to influence the political landscape in both Maharashtra and Jharkhand as they prepare for upcoming elections. In the previous elections held in Maharashtra in 2019, the BJP and an undivided Shiv Sena coalition had secured power.
In previous Jharkhand elections held in 2019, Hemant Soren’s JMM won 30 seats. Meanwhile, Congress secured 16, enabling Soren to take the chief minister’s oath.
What’s Next for Upcoming Assembly Elections?
The upcoming assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand follow recent elections in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir. BJP achieved a historic third consecutive term in Haryana, while the National Conference-Congress coalition triumphed in Jammu and Kashmir.
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Mallika Sadhu is a journalist committed to revealing the raw, unfiltered truth. Mallika's work is grounded in a dedication to transparency and integrity, aiming to present clear and impactful stories that matter. Through comprehensive reporting and honest storytelling, she strives to contribute to provide narratives that genuinely inform and engage. When not dwelling in the world of journalism, she is immersed in the colors of her canvas and pages of her journal.
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