Maharashtra, Jharkhand Elections 2024 Live: BJP, Congress Shift Gear To Finalize Candidates

Maharashtra Assembly Polls Live: 'We Have Discussed 96 Seats...': Congress Nana Patole 

Ahead of polls in Maharashtra, Congress chief Nana Patole Said, "We have discussed 96 seats today. There are some seats in the discussion, but we did not talk about them. We will talk to Sharad Pawar, and Uddhav Thackeray tomorrow. Regarding the sharing problem on 30-40 seats, we will find a way for it..." 

Jharkhand Assembly Polls Live: Himanta Biswa Sarma Addresses Media

Assam Chief Minister and Jharkhand BJP co-in-charge of assembly elections Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "There has been a history in Jharkhand that after the list of candidates is announced, there is some dissatisfaction and some people even resign. But we are getting indications that people are excited and there is not much dissatisfaction. Our party is big and if anyone is dissatisfied, we will talk to them. "

Maharashtra Elections Live Updates: NCP Announces 27 Star Campaigners

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, NCP working president Praful Patel, the party's state head Sunil Tatkare and a host of cabinet members figure in a list of 27 star campaigners released by the ruling coalition partner for the November 20 assembly polls. The party's star campaigners include NCP president Ajit Pawar, Patel, Sunil Tatkare, state ministers Chhagan Bhujbal, Dilip Walse Patil, Dhananjay Munde, Hasan Mushrif and Aditi Tatkare.

Maharashtra Assembly Polls Live: MVA Closing On In Seat-Sharing Deal

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Monday said the Maha Vikas Aghadi had arrived on a consensus on 210 of the 288 Maharashtra assembly seats, while the state's Congress chief Nana Patole claimed discussions had been completed on his party's 96 seats. Both, however, were united in claiming the Bharatiya Janata Party was spreading misinformation in the run-up to the polls.

Maharashtra Election Live Updates: Congress Discussed 96 Seats Today, Says Nana Patole

Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole said, "We have discussed 96 seats today. There are some seats in the discussion, but we did not talk about them. We will talk to Sharad Pawar, and Uddhav Thackeray tomorrow. Regarding the sharing problem on 30-40 seats, we will find a way for it..."

Jharkhand Election Live Updates: ECI Appoints IPS Ajay Kr Singh As New DGP 

The Election Commission of India today has approved Ajay Kumar Singh for appointment as DGP Jharkhand, who is the senior most IPS officer in the cadre. Ajay Kumar Singh belongs to 1989 batch of the Indian Police Service.

Jharkhand Polls Live: CPI (M) Leader Slams Congress

CPI(M) Politburo member Subhashini Ali expressed dissatisfaction with the current seat-sharing arrangement of the INDIA bloc for the Jharkhand Assembly elections, stating on Monday that the Congress party has a "habit" of demanding more seats than its "capabilities."

Speaking to ANI, Subhashini Ali said, "As far as seats-sharing is concerned, there are disputes within a party as well. So, when there are different parties, issues arise at the time of seat sharing. There are a few parties that have the habit of demanding more than their capabilities. Perhaps the major one among them is the Congress party." 

Uttar Pradesh Bypolls Live Update: Samajwadi Party Confident Of Winning Majority Seats

On Uttar Pradesh by-election, SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav said, "It will be a one-sided election. Samajwadi Party will win with a huge majority. BJP candidates will have their deposits forfeited in all seats..."

Maharashtra Election Live Updates: Congress Says MVA Stands United

Congress' in-charge for Maharashtra, Ramesh Chennithala says, "...There are no differences (in Maha Vikas Aghadi). We are united. Talks are going on regarding seats, it will be resolved soon. We have a CEC meeting today..."

Maharashtra Election Live Updates: Sanjay Raut's 'Sacrifice' Message Amid Seat-Sharing Deadlock

On Maharashtra Congress leaders, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said, "...We have been in politics for years, every party feels that their workers should be made candidates...But this is an alliance. Everyone has the right to speak about their role but when it comes to seat sharing, everyone has to make a few sacrifices and take a step back."

#WATCH | #MaharashtraElection2024 | Mumbai: On Maharashtra Congress leaders, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut says, "...We have been in politics for years, every party feels that their workers should be made candidates...But this is an alliance. Everyone has the right to speak… pic.twitter.com/ONYpREpC7u

— ANI (@ANI) October 21, 2024

Jharkhand Polls Live: JMM Criticises Election Commission's Voting Hours Decision

JMM General Secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya has criticised the Election Commission of India's decision regarding voting hours for the upcoming elections. He highlighted that, according to the Commission, 88 percent of voters in Jharkhand reside in rural areas, while only 12 percent are from urban regions. While addressing the media, Bhattacharya noted, “The Election Commission has announced that urban voters will receive an additional hour to cast their votes, extending their voting time until 5 PM. In contrast, rural voters will have their voting period shortened by one hour, ending at 4 PM.” He expressed concern that this decision disproportionately affects the majority of voters in the state.

Jharkhand Polls Live: BJP Leader Slams INDIA Bloc Over Seat Sharing Discord

The discord within the INDIA alliance over seat sharing has drawn sharp criticism from BJP leader Pratul Shah Deo. He remarked that forming an alliance "without any policy or principle, just to capture power, to loot the public's money" leads to repeated conflicts.

Shah Deo emphasised that the INDIA alliance lacks vital discussions regarding their plans for the public, ANI quoted him saying, "Here, there is no discussion on what they will do for the public, what will be the common minimum program, and how to bring good schemes for the benefit of the person standing at the last rung of society." He pointed out that the focus of the INDIA alliance seems to be on "who will capture how many seats," highlighting a persistent deadlock in their negotiations.

In contrast, Shah Deo asserted that the NDA has effectively organised itself, noting, "We not only stitched the alliance but also announced candidates for 77 seats till now," adding that more candidates would be revealed "today or tomorrow." He criticized the opposition, stating they have yet to prepare a cohesive blueprint for their alliance.

Maharashtra Polls Live: Manoj Jarange's Announcement Ahead Of Elections

Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil announced on Sunday that his organization, Maratha Kranti Morcha, will declare candidates for the Maharashtra Assembly elections in select constituencies. He stated that any candidate willing to support their demands in writing will receive the community's backing, reported ANI.

"I think… seats where we can win elections we will give candidate. Seats where SC-ST candidates are contesting irrespective of the party we will not give candidate on that seat, we should support them. Where we can't win… there we will support the candidate who can give in writing on bond paper that he supports our demands, we will support that candidate," he said during a speech at Antarvali village in Jalna district.

Jarange Patil highlighted that regardless of the party's decisions, the agitation for their community's rights would continue.

Maharashtra Polls Live: Girish Mahajan Expresses Confidence In BJP

Maharashtra Minister Girish Mahajan expressed confidence in the BJP's success following the release of the party's first list of candidates for the upcoming assembly elections. Speaking about his constituency, Jamner, Mahajan predicted a 'record-breaking victory' and assured that, upon their return to power, the BJP would prioritize completing the unfinished irrigation projects. 

The BJP's first list includes four seats from Jalgaon district, which Mahajan described as a "main fort" of the Mahayuti alliance. He emphasized the importance of Jalgaon and Malkapur in contributing to the formation of the Mahayuti government, with 12 seats expected from the district. 

Mahajan, who holds responsibility for the region, highlighted North Maharashtra's pivotal role in the elections, stating it would be "at the forefront of the state." He also expressed a desire for unity, urging party members to avoid internal rebellions and adhere to the Mahayuti's principles. "We have faith in the people," he added while talking to media.