The Election Commission of India (ECI) has officially announced the voting dates for the 2024 assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. Voting in Maharashtra is set for November 20, with results expected on November 23. Meanwhile, Jharkhand will see a two-phase election, with voting on November 13 and 20, followed by results on November 23. The elections are crucial for both states as the current terms of their assemblies are nearing expiration, and the political landscape is poised for intense competition.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has confirmed the dates for the much-anticipated Maharashtra and Jharkhand assembly elections. In Maharashtra, voting will take place on November 20, with the results being declared on November 23. Jharkhand’s election, on the other hand, will occur in two phases, with voting scheduled for November 13 and November 20. The results for Jharkhand will also be announced on November 23.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar, during a press conference, highlighted India’s growing prowess in conducting elections. “India is setting gold standards in every election,” he said, underscoring the country’s robust electoral process.
Maharashtra: A Political Showdown
The current term of the Maharashtra Assembly will come to an end on November 26, 2024. The state is presently governed by the Mahayuti alliance, which includes the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena (led by Eknath Shinde), and Ajit Pawar’s faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Maharashtra, a state with 288 assembly seats, is gearing up for a tough contest between the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which comprises the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), NCP (Sharad Pawar), and Congress.
In the 2019 elections, the BJP and the undivided Shiv Sena formed the government. However, the political dynamics have significantly shifted since then, with internal divisions creating new challenges for the ruling coalition. Both alliances are preparing for what is expected to be a highly competitive election.
Jharkhand: A Test for Soren’s Leadership
Jharkhand’s political climate is equally charged, with the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-Congress alliance led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren currently in power. The term of the Jharkhand Assembly will conclude on January 5, 2025. Jharkhand has 81 assembly seats, and the upcoming election will see the ruling alliance go head-to-head with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which includes the BJP, Janata Dal (United), and the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU).
In the 2019 election, the JMM secured 30 seats, while Congress won 16, enabling Soren to take the chief minister’s post. This year, the ruling coalition is facing stiff competition from the NDA, as both parties vie for dominance in the state.
National Context: Recent Wins and Political Momentum
These elections come on the heels of the recently concluded assembly polls in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir. In Haryana, the BJP made history by winning the state for the third consecutive time, with Nayab Singh Saini set to be sworn in as chief minister on October 17. Meanwhile, in Jammu and Kashmir, the National Conference-Congress alliance emerged victorious, with Omar Abdullah poised to take office as chief minister on October 16.
BJP’s Strategy and Candidate Selection
The BJP’s Central Election Committee (CEC) convened on Tuesday evening to discuss the selection of candidates for the upcoming Jharkhand elections. The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was attended by top BJP leaders, including Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP President J P Nadda, and National General Secretary B L Santhosh. Discussions centered around finalizing the list of nominees for the key electoral contest in Jharkhand.
Challenges and Controversies
The election season has not been without its controversies. The Election Commission recently addressed a request from the NCP regarding the symbol of their state party. As per the CEC, “We received two requests related to the NCP-SP symbol – a man blowing turha. The party requested an adjustment in the size of the symbol on ballot machines to ensure visibility. Both requests have been approved.”
Outlook for 2024 Elections
Political analysts are closely watching both Maharashtra and Jharkhand, where the battle between the ruling alliances and opposition coalitions is expected to be fierce. BJP MP Brijmohan Agrawal expressed confidence in the party’s success in Jharkhand, stating, “People of the country have decided to form a double-engine government in all states. The vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ can only be fulfilled under the leadership of PM Modi.”
With the election dates now confirmed, both states are preparing for an intense political showdown. Maharashtra and Jharkhand will play crucial roles in shaping India’s political landscape ahead of the 2024 general elections.
As Maharashtra and Jharkhand gear up for their assembly elections, all eyes are on the political developments and alliances forming in these two key states. With voting scheduled in November, the results will set the tone for future electoral battles, making these contests pivotal for both the ruling and opposition parties.
