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The Election Commission of India has announced the dates for the upcoming assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. Voting in both states will be held on November 20, 2023, with the results declared on November 23, 2023. These elections are expected to be fiercely contested, with key political alliances vying for power.
In Maharashtra, the battle lines are drawn between the ruling Mahayuti alliance, comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena, and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance, which includes the Indian National Congress (INC), Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP-SP. The death of NCP leader Baba Siddique on October 12 has added a layer of tension to the political scene, with the opposition accusing the Eknath Shinde-led government of failing to maintain law and order. The Maha Vikas Aghadi held a press conference on October 13, releasing a 'chargesheet of corruption' against the Mahayuti government, highlighting alleged scams, mismanagement, and lapses in law and order.
Jharkhand will also see a fierce contest between alliances. The ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led alliance is hoping for a victory after the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured an almost clean sweep in the Lok Sabha elections. The JMM-led alliance has declared that they will contest all 81 seats in the election and are confident of defeating the BJP's 'double-engine government.' The Jharkhand BJP's core group is scheduled to hold a meeting today, chaired by BJP national president JP Nadda and union home minister Amit Shah, to discuss candidate selections for the 81 seats, as reported by news agency ANI.
These elections are expected to be crucial for both the BJP and the opposition alliances. The BJP, in power at the center, aims to solidify its position in both states, while the opposition alliances are looking to capitalize on any anti-incumbency sentiments. The campaigns are likely to be highly charged, with both sides focusing on local issues and national politics. The outcome of these elections will have significant implications for the political landscape in India.
Source: Election date announcement live: Maharashtra polls on Nov 20, results on Nov 23