Mumbai: With the Maharashtra Assembly elections entering their decisive phase, voters are gearing up for polling on November 20 to decide the fate of 288 assembly seats. The results, scheduled to be announced on November 23, will determine whether the BJP-led Mahayuti retains its grip on power or if the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) makes a comeback. However, a significant revelation by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has added intrigue to the electoral battle 43,020 voters have been removed from Mumbai’s voter list post the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
BMC Removes Over 43,000 Voters From Mumbai Electoral Rolls
The BMC revealed that voter list revisions under Form 7 led to the removal of 26,429 voters from Mumbai city and 16,591 from its suburbs. This process, completed after the 2024 general elections, targeted duplicate entries and voters with status changes, such as relocations or deaths.
The timing of this announcement, just days before polling, has sparked discussions about its impact on voter demographics and turnout, especially in a tightly contested election.
Campaigning Ends Amid High-Octane Contest
Campaigning for Maharashtra’s assembly elections concluded on November 18, setting the stage for a fiercely contested battle. The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, comprising the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), is fighting to maintain its dominance in the state.
Meanwhile, the opposition MVA an alliance of the Congress, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), and Sharad Pawar’s NCP is banking on its impressive performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where it secured 30 out of 48 seats in Maharashtra, to stage a comeback.
Mahavikas Aghadi vs. Mahayuti: A High-Stakes Battle
The MVA is eyeing a reversal of fortunes after its unexpected loss of power in 2022 following a split in the Shiv Sena, which saw Eknath Shinde join hands with the BJP. The opposition has campaigned on issues of governance, inflation, and unemployment to regain voter trust.
On the other hand, the Mahayuti alliance is leveraging its incumbency and development projects, projecting stability and growth under its leadership. The 2019 assembly election results underscore the stakes, where the BJP secured 105 seats, Shiv Sena won 56, and Congress bagged 44.
Key Dates to Watch: November 20 and 23
Polling for all 288 seats will take place on November 20, with the outcome to be declared on November 23. The results will not only shape Maharashtra’s political landscape but also signal the momentum for the 2029 general elections.
What’s at Stake?
This election is crucial for both alliances. For the BJP and Mahayuti, retaining power solidifies their position as Maharashtra’s leading political force. For the MVA, a victory could signal the beginning of a political resurgence and set the stage for their strategy in the 2029 general elections.
As voters head to the polls, all eyes will be on turnout, voter sentiment, and the impact of the revised voter list.
