Exit polls released today have predicted a clear advantage for the Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra, with the BJP, Ajit Pawar’s NCP and Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena likely to retain power in the state. Pollsters from Matrize, Peoples Pulse and Chanakya gave the upper hand to the Eknath Shinde-led alliance. Matrix projections show the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance winning between 150 and 170 seats in the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly, while the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is expected to secure 110 to 130 seats.

Minor parties and independents are expected to win 8 to 10 seats. Peoples Pulse predicts 175-195 seats for Mahayuti, while Chanakya predicts 150-160 seats. However, the P-Marq agency predicts a tighter race, with Mahayuti expected to win between 137 to 157 seats, while MVA is expected to win 126-146 seats. The results will be confirmed on November 23.

In Jharkhand, Matriz exit polls predict a strong showing for the BJP-led NDA, with the alliance expected to win a majority in the 81-member assembly. The Hemant Soren-led INDIA block alliance is expected to face a setback, especially in North and South Chotanagpur, while Santhal Pargana is expected to yield more seats for the INDIA block. In the 2019 Jharkhand assembly elections, the JMM-led alliance won 47 seats and the NDA secured 25 seats. If the exit polls hold, it would mark a significant change in the state’s political landscape.