Maharashtra sees 58.22 pc turnout, 67. 59% In Jharkhand as voting ends

New Delhi: The polling for Maharashtra's 288 assembly seats and 38 assembly seats in the second and final phase of Jharkhand concluded at 6 pm.
Jharkhand recorded a voter turnout of 67.59 per cent, during second and last phase of polling and Maharashtra stood at 58.22 per cent, according to data from the Election Commission of India.
In Maharashtra, the ruling Mahayuti alliance (BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP) is vying to retain power, while opposition's the Maha Vikas Aghadi (Congress-Shiv Sena (UBT)-NCP (SP)) is hoping for a strong comeback.
In Jharkhand, the ruling JMM-led INDIA bloc is seeking to retain power riding on its welfare schemes, while the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is trying to wrest it. The first phase of elections was held on November 13
The counting of votes in both states will be held on November 23.
The Mahayuti is banking on its popular schemes like Majhi LadkiBahin for women helping it retain power. In the Mahayuti alliance, the BJP is contesting 149 seats, Shiv Sena is in the fray in 81 seats, and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP has fielded candidates in 59 constituencies.
In the opposition's Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) combine, the Congress has fielded 101 candidates, Shiv Sena (UBT) 95, and NCP (SP) has put up 86 candidates.
Smaller parties, including the Bahujan Samaj Party and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM), are also contesting, with BSP fielding 237 candidates and AIMIM 17 in the 288-member Lower House.
The BJP's use of slogans like "Batengetohkatenge" and "Ek haitoh safe hai" prompted the opposition parties to accuse the Mahayuti of polarising voters along religious lines.
The MVA slammed Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's use of "Batengetohkatenge" and PM Modi's "Ek haitoh safe hai' slogans. They countered the ruling combine's rhetoric by focusing on issues like caste-based census, social justice, and protecting the Constitution.
The election campaign saw prominent leaders like Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and many Union ministers crisscrossing the state to garner votes for their candidates.
The second phase of polling in Jharkhand will cover 38 constituencies across 12 districts, testing key campaign themes.
The BJP-led NDA has focused on issues like Bangladeshi infiltration, while the JMM-led INDIA bloc is banking on its "Mahila Samman" scheme, which provides Rs 1,000 monthly to women aged 18-50.
The BJP’s campaign in Jharkhand has centered on allegations that the ruling alliance is enabling Bangladeshi infiltration, allegedly altering the demographic makeup of Santhal Pargana.
The JMM has dismissed these claims as politically motivated, branding BJP candidates as outsiders. JMM and Congress leaders have urged tribal voters to reject the BJP, accusing it of attempting to disrupt and divide Santhal Pargana's social fabric.
Phase-II will also see the electoral fate of 528 candidates, including Chief Minister Hemant Soren, his wife Kalpana Soren both (both JMM) and Leader of Opposition Amar Kumar Bauri (BJP) will be decided.
Other prominent candidates on the ballot includes state BJP president and ex-CM Babulal Marandi, Assembly Speaker Ravindra Nath Mahto (JMM) and BJP ally AJSU Party chief Sudesh Mahto.