Maharashtra Assembly Polls: Voting begins amid tight security; over 4,000 candidates in fray

Polling for the single-phase Maharashtra Assembly elections began astatine 7 americium today, with voting acceptable to proceed until 6 p.m. crossed each 288 constituencies. Approximately 9.7 crore voters are eligible to determine the destiny of 4,136 candidates, including 2,086 independents.  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X to promote elector participation, calling it a "festival of democracy." He urged younker and women to ballot successful ample numbers, emphasizing their relation successful shaping the state's future.  

Security has been bolstered crossed the state, peculiarly successful delicate areas similar Dharavi and Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar successful Mumbai. Over 25,000 personnel, including riot-control units and elder officers, person been deployed to guarantee creaseless polling.  

Key contenders see the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance—comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction)—and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), featuring the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction). Major parties similar the BJP, Shiv Sena, and Congress person fielded 149, 81, and 101 candidates, respectively.  

The BJP emerged arsenic the largest enactment successful the 2019 elections with 105 seats, followed by Shiv Sena astatine 56 and Congress astatine 44. Results from today’s elections volition uncover if alliances tin sway the electorate oregon if past volition repetition itself.