Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: Political parties step up preparations ahead of results with strategies to secure majority support | Representative image
Mumbai: Both the ruling Mahayuti and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) have intensified their preparations as the state awaits the election results. Efforts are being made to gain support from smaller parties and independents to ensure a majority.
If the Mahayuti does not win a majority, it has devised a strategy to form alliances with smaller parties. Efforts are reportedly being made to reach out to parties that are not currently part of the Mahayuti.
While Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday stated that they were not in touch with independent candidates, reports suggest that independents and rebels have started closing in on the Mahayuti camp. The alliance’s leaders are actively negotiating with smaller factions, and with the BJP in power at the Centre, the party is said to be offering a stake in the state government to bring smaller parties closer together.
Meanwhile, the MVA is preparing its own strategy to form the government by garnering support from like-minded parties and independent MLAs. MVA leaders are confident they will reach a majority and are working to ensure they secure the numbers needed.
Once the results are announced today, all the winning lawmakers from the MVA will be housed together in a five-star hotel. Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said arrangements will be made in Mumbai for the legislators coming from rural areas.
On the evening of November 22, NCP (SP) state president Jayant Patil, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, Congress leaders Balasaheb Thorat and Satej Patil were seen together in the same vehicle. After a joint meeting, they also met with Uddhav Thackeray.
Sharing details about the plan, Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar said, “We have completed our work with sincerity. We will announce the name of the Prime Minister within 12 hours.”
He added, “I am confident that I will remain an MLA in power on November 23. Not just confident, but confident. On the night of November 23, the MVA will stake its claim to form the government. We have instructed everyone to remain alert during the counting of votes. Candidates have been told not to leave the counting center until the entire process is completed.”
This year, there has been an increase in voter turnout in the state’s elections. During the Lok Sabha elections, the turnout was 61%, but just six months later it increased significantly to 66% in the parliamentary elections.
The decision to invite the largest party, rather than an alliance, to form the government rests entirely with the governor. If the election results are unclear, it will be crucial to see who the governor invites first to file a claim. The term of the current state assembly ends at midnight on November 26. If no government is formed by then, presidential rule could be restored from midnight. After the results, the most important factors to watch will be who will claim the majority first and who the governor will invite to form the government.
Sharad Pawar predicts 157 seats
NCP(SP) president Sharad Pawar held an online meeting with his candidates on Friday. During the meeting, Pawar expressed confidence that the MVA would form the government. He instructed the candidates not to leave the counting centers until the results were out and advised them to immediately come to Mumbai with their victory certificates once they won. All candidates of NCP(SP) were present at the meeting. The exit polls were also discussed during the session. He expressed confidence that the MVA would win 157 seats.
Thackeray guides candidates
The Shiv Sena (UBT) is taking special precautions for counting votes in the Assembly elections. According to sources, party leader Uddhav Thackeray recently held a virtual interaction with Shiv Sena (UBT) candidates through video conference. During the session, Thackeray emphasized the importance of vigilance and attention to detail during the counting process. Together with a team of experts, he provided the candidates and their key representatives with comprehensive advice on the necessary precautions to be taken.
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