BJP Sweeps Maharashtra Assembly Polls; JMM-Led INDIA Bloc Wins Jharkhand

In a significant political development, the assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand showcased contrasting outcomes, reflecting the dynamic landscape of Indian politics. The results, announced on Saturday, marked a landslide victory for the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra and a resounding return to power for the JMM-led INDIA bloc in Jharkhand.

The Mahayuti alliance, comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), and the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction), secured a commanding majority, winning 234 out of 288 seats. The BJP emerged as the dominant force, clinching 132 seats on its own, reinforcing its political stronghold in the state.

Speculation is rife about Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ascending to the Chief Minister’s position for a third term. Celebrating the victory, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the results a “message of unity,” highlighting that the mantra “ek hain to safe hain” (unity ensures safety) resonated with the people. Union Home Minister Amit Shah credited the victory to the “double-engine government” under PM Modi’s leadership, emphasizing its focus on governance and development.

The Congress party faced a near-total rout in Maharashtra, losing several key constituencies. Prominent Congress leaders, including Nana Patole, Vijay Thorat, and Prithviraj Chavan, were defeated. Uddhav Thackeray, chief of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction), expressed disbelief at the outcome, remarking that the state seemed to have abandoned him despite his leadership during the pandemic.

In Jharkhand, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led INDIA bloc secured a decisive victory, winning 56 out of 81 seats. Chief Minister Hemant Soren retained his Barhait seat with a significant margin of over 39,000 votes against BJP candidate Gamliyel Hembrom.

Addressing the jubilant crowd, Soren expressed his gratitude, saying, “Jharkhand has won… Heartfelt gratitude and johar to the people of Jharkhand!” The victory marked the INDIA bloc’s resilience and reaffirmed its commitment to regional governance and inclusive politics.

Apart from the assembly elections, bypoll results for 48 assembly and two parliamentary constituencies across 14 states were also declared.

– Kerala: Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra made a historic debut in Parliament, winning the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat by over 4.1 lakh votes, surpassing her brother Rahul Gandhi’s previous record. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge praised her as a strong voice for the people.

– Punjab: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) captured three assembly seats, while Congress secured one. The BJP failed to make a significant impact in the state.

– West Bengal: The Trinamool Congress (TMC) retained its dominance, winning four seats and wresting one from the BJP.

– Rajasthan and Gujarat: The BJP solidified its hold in these states, winning key seats such as Jhunjhunu and Dausa in Rajasthan and Vav in Gujarat.

– Northeast: The National People’s Party (NPP) retained Gambegre in Meghalaya, while the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) candidates won unopposed in two constituencies.

The assembly elections and by polls underscored the diverse political narratives across India. While the BJP cemented its dominance in Maharashtra with a stellar performance, the INDIA bloc, led by the JMM, showcased its resilience in Jharkhand.

As the political landscape evolves, these results highlight the shifting allegiances and aspirations of the Indian electorate, setting the tone for future elections.

Also read: BJP-Led NDA Clean Sweeps Assam Assembly By-Polls, Secures All 5 Seats