Elections LIVE | Maharashtra votes in Mahayuti again, Jharkhand retains INDIA bloc

Few predicted it, and in an election that was supposed to be close, the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is headed for a landslide win in Maharashtra, bagging over 200 seats. In Jharkhand again, the outcome has not gone as per the script, with INDIA Bloc making a stunning comeback, in a late swing of seats.

As per the latest updates, the BJP-led alliance is winning in 225 seats, with the Maha Vikas Aghadi tottering at 55. In Jharkhand, INDIA Bloc is ahead in 51 seats, and NDA in 29.

Here are the bypoll updates from across states:

Kerala: Congress leads in Palakkad and Wayanad (LS); Left in Chelakkara

Karnataka: Congress leads in all three seats

Uttar Pradesh: BJP leads in six seats; SP 3

Punjab: AAP leads in 2 seats; Congress 2

Rajasthan: Congress, BJP and Bharat Adivasi Party lead in two seats each

West Bengal: Trinamool Congress leads in all six Assembly seats

Bihar: NDA leads in two seats.

Uttarakhand: BJP leads

With a dramatic change in its political dynamics over the last two and a half years following a split in the regional forces like Shiv Sena and NCP, Maharashtra witnessed an intense battle between the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) grouping. The Mahayuti comprises the BJP, Shiv Sena (Shinde), and Ajit Pawar-led NCP, while the MVA has Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (SP) as its constituents.

Also read: Graphic Explainer | Maharashtra polls: Six regions, and their electoral dynamics

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Jharkhand witnessed a fierce electoral battle between the ruling JMM-led INDIA bloc and the BJP-led NDA, with the former seeking to retain power and the latter attempting to wrest it from the ruling dispensation.The NDA attacked the JMM-led coalition over corruption and infiltration, criticising ruling party leaders, including the chief minister, who is out on bail. Hemant Soren hit out at the saffron camp, alleging that the Opposition party spent over Rs 500 crore on "malicious campaigns" against him.

Also read: BJP’s aggression over ‘infiltrators’ undercuts JMM in key tribal hubs

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