Maharashtra Government Formation Live Updates: : No clarity yet on new CM as Shinde resigns, to stay on as caretaker

Indian stock markets rallied on Monday after the BJP-led government secured a majority in the latest state elections in Maharashtra.
The Nifty 50 index gained more than 1.45 per cent or 346.30 points to open at 24,253.55 points, while the BSE Sensex index surged 1,076 points or 1.36 percent to open at 80,193.47 points.

Experts noted that the election results have an impact on the markets today, and if past trends are followed, the markets may witness some rally amid the return of the BJP in the Maharashtra state elections.

Ajay Bagga Banking and Market Expert said that "The just concluded elections in Maharashtra, the results of which were declared on November 23rd, will have a positive immediate impact on the stock markets. The landslide win for the BJP lead coalition in the Maharashtra state elections could lead to a short-term boost to the Indian stock markets which have been in a declining mode"

He further added "Investors will interpret this mandate as favourable for the capex and infrastructure push that is ongoing in Maharashtra. The beneficiary sectors of this election are industrials, infrastructure, manufacturing, real estate and financials".

NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule has said her party, which won just 10 seats in the Maharashtra assembly elections, will introspect over the poll results and pledged to work towards a capable, inclusive and progressive state.

In a statement on X, the Baramati Lok Sabha member on Sunday said they respect the people's mandate. She promised to rebuild the party and said it would move forward with determination despite its dismal show.

The Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) and its Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allies Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) collectively bagged only 46 of the state's 288 assembly seats.

"We respect and humbly accept the verdict of the people in the assembly elections. This result is a moment for deep reflection and renewal. We will introspect, learn, and rebuild with honesty, hard work, and an unshakable commitment to the values we stand for," Sule wrote.

She stressed that her party was committed to creating a capable, inclusive, and progressive Maharashtra.

"Our vision of a capable, inclusive, and progressive Maharashtra remains unchanged. We reaffirm our pledge to fight for the rights, dignity, and self-respect of farmers, workers, women, youth, and every marginalised section of society," Sule stated.

As the Mahayuti sweeps the 2024 general assembly elections in Maharashtra, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Kangana Ranaut lashed out at Shiv Sena (UBT) and ther Aghadi alliance, accusing them of "disrespecting women" and labelling them as a "daitya (monsters)."

Ranaut, BJP MP from Himachal Pradesh's Mandi, said that those who disrespect women are monsters and they met their fate as they lost the assembly elections in Maharashtra. It was evident that they lost sight of right and wrong, she added.

"I had anticipated his (Uddhav Thackeray's) loss. History is witness to how we recognise 'daitya' (monster) and 'devta' (god). Those who disrespect women are 'daitya' (monsters) and those who give respect to women - be it giving 33 per cent reservation for women, food, or cylinders. That's how one finds out who is 'devta' and who is a 'daitya'. So, those who disrespected women are monsters and they met their fate as they lost (the elections). They demolished my house and used foul words against me. It was evident that they lost sight of right and wrong," BJP MP Kangana Ranaut said.

Reacting to BJP-led Mahayuti winning the assembly polls, Ranaut expressed her gratitude to the people of Maharashtra, saying that this was a historic win for the saffron party.

"This is a historic win for our party. It is obvious that all party workers are very excited. We are thankful to the people of Maharashtra. It (choosing the new Chief Minister) is the prerogative of our party (leaders)," she said.

Congress MP Chamala Kiran Kumar on Sunday alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured electoral victories in Maharashtra and Haryana through manipulation and the misuse of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

"Congress always wants to tell the people of the country that whenever BJP wins, whether it is in Haryana or today in Maharashtra, BJP has a habit of coming to power by any means... Even in Haryana, we got results that we did not expect, even in Maharashtra...Our leaders are suspicious of election processes... It is difficult to understand what our democracy is doing with EVMs...," he said.

Kiran Kumar further added that conducting elections through the EVM is not trustworthy and suggested finding alternative methods for conducting elections using traditional ballot papers.

"In the coming years, if any political party does not trust EVMs, we should discuss it and find an alternative way to increase the trust of all... Election Commission should think about it again, either we should adopt this technology or we should go like other countries who have changed their path from EVMs to normal ballot papers.," he added.

EC dismissed opposition’s claims in Maharashtra about EVM battery levels impacting counting of votes polled in assembly elections. They said EVM battery charge remaining at 99% — one of the charges levelled by opposition after results were declared on Saturday — had no bearing on the counting process, reports Nisha Nambiar. EC said battery percentage displays are for technical monitoring, adding: “Battery voltage and capacity have no connection to counting operations or EVM integrity.” Actor Swara Bhaskar on Saturday had alleged EVM manipulation, following her husband Fahad Ahmed’s electoral loss, claiming that battery levels of EVMs remained at 99% the entire day. She was among many from opposition who raised issues with EVMs. EC said such allegations lack technical basis.

NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar Sunday said speculations were rife that simultaneous polls were conducted in a small and a big state in a bid to defend BJP’s victories in the bigger ones and counter any allegations against EVM misuse, reports Anurag Bende.

Pawar said, “Haryana and J&K went to polls a few months ago. Opposition won in the smaller state (J&K), while the bigger state (Haryana) went to BJP. Maharashtra’s assembly polls were to be held along with Haryana, but it was delayed and conducted with another smaller state — Jharkhand.”

Clarifying that he did not have authentic information on EVMs, Pawar said, “This time too, BJP and its allies won in Maharashtra and opposition won in Jharkhand. Some people are saying that a pattern is emerging where BJP is winning in bigger states and opposition in smaller states. Simultaneous elections of such states are being held so that if someone raises an objection against EVMs, examples of Jharkhand, and J&K can be given to counter it.”

After a thumping saffron sweep, BJP netas from Vidarbha feel it’s time for Devendra Fadnavis to again occupy the CM post, reports Abhishek Choudhari. Fears of the BJP brass opting for a surprise pick or even “gifting” the CM chair to allies for half the term play on the minds of Fadnavis supporters. But they say now there are “no excuses” for him not to be made CM. Shivani Dani-Wakhare, general secretary of BJP’s youth wing, said voters have expressed their highest respect for Fadnavis and wish to see him as CM, while BJP’s Nagpur joint-treasurer Deaven Dasture described Fadnavis’ first tenure as “spotless”.

MVA’s confidence about forming govt in Maharashtra in the run-up to the assembly polls was crushed by the Mahayuti juggernaut, with the opposition alliance candidates finishing third in 29 of the 288 seats it contested.

Of the29 seats, 17 candidates of Sena (UBT) ended up in the third position, and one in fourth.

Though a close contest was expected, it turned out to be a one-sided result as MVA — comprising Congress, NCP (SP), and Shiv Sena (UBT) — was decimated to 46 seats by Mahayuti that reaped a rich harvest of 230 seats in the 288-member House. For Mahayuti, BJP led the show with 132 seats, followed by Shiv Sena (57) and NCP (41). For MVA, Shiv Sena (UBT) won 20, Congress 16, and NCP (SP) 10 seats.

Though Thackeray’s party won the maximum seats among the MVA partners, 18 of its candidates failed to secure the second position. Its candidate from Nandgaon in Nashik district, Ganesh Dhatrak, finished fourth. Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena’s Suhas Kande won the seat. Even an independent, Rohan Borse, was ahead of Dhatrak, finishing third.

While Ajit Pawar was on Sunday unanimously elected group leader of the NCP legislature party, sources said that on the question of the chief minister's post, the party has taken the view that in view of the assembly poll results, it would be appropriate if Devendra Fadnavis is placed at the helm of affairs in the state."In June 2022, Eknath Shinde had brought 40 legislators with him (thus getting the CM's post), but now the BJP has 132 seats," sources in the NCP said, indicating the party's preference.