Maharashtra, Jharkhand vote in NDA vs INDIA battle

MAHARASTRA,NOV 20 : Voting is underway in Maharashtra and Jharkhand for the high-stakes Assembly elections that will decide the fate of the ruling and opposition political alliances in the two states. While Jharkhand is voting in the second and final phase today, polling in Maharashtra is being conducted in a single phase.

Voting in both the states began at 7 am. It will end at 6 pm in Maharashtra and 5 pm in Jharkhand, barring 31 booths where it will conclude at 4 pm.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed to voters, especially women and young people, in both states to exercise their franchise.

In Maharashtra, a total of 4,136 candidates are contesting across 288 constituencies. As part of the ruling Mahayuti alliance, the BJP is fighting in 149 seats, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena in 81, and the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in 59.

In the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance, the Congress has fielded 101 candidates, the Uddhav Thackery-led Shiv Sena (UBT) 95, and the NCP (Sharad Pawar) 86.

In Jharkhand, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-Congress-Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) coalition is seeking to retain power, while the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance is trying to seize control.

At least 528 candidates, including Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and his wife Kalpana Soren, are contesting in 38 of the total 81 Assembly seats. The BJP has fielded candidates in 68 seats while allies AJSU Party in 10, JD(U) in two and Lok Janshakti (Ram Vilas) in one.

Out of the Opposition INDIA bloc parties, JMM has fielded candidates in 43 seats, Congress 30, RJD 6 and CPI(ML) 4.

Counting of votes in both the states will take place on Saturday.

-PTI