Mumbai: In the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections, two critical regions, Vidarbha and the Konkan-Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) belt are expected to play a decisive role in determining the outcome. These areas hold 62 and 75 seats respectively and both the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) are focusing their strategies on these regions.

Insights from the recent Lok Sabha elections indicate a tight contest between the two coalitions, with the MVA winning 30 out of Maharashtra’s 48 seats, while the Mahayuti secured 17. Despite this, there was less than a 1% difference in the vote share between them, with the MVA at 43.71% and Mahayuti at 43.55%.

Outcome Of Recent Lok Sabha Elections

Vidarbha, with the highest number of assembly seats and the MMR-Konkan belt, are seen as battlegrounds that could tip the scales. In Vidarbha, the MVA led in 7 out of 10 Lok Sabha seats, while the Mahayuti performed better in the Konkan region, winning 5 out of 6 seats outside Mumbai. Mumbai itself saw the MVA dominate, winning 4 out of 6 seats.

Mahayuti Relying On Effect Of Schemes & Grassroots Campaigning

The Mahayuti’s strategy revolves around bridging the gap of 30-odd seats where the MVA currently leads, leveraging caste combinations, grassroots campaigning and populist schemes like the Ladki Bahin Yojana. The alliance is focusing on strengthening its position in regions where it performed well in the Lok Sabha polls, particularly in Vidarbha and the MMR-Konkan belt.

The BJP, which once dominated Vidarbha, is hoping to regain its stronghold, while Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction remains confident of winning in the Konkan-MMR districts, where it has deep roots.

MVA Focussing On Maratha Quota & Farmers’ Issues

In contrast, the MVA, bolstered by the Maratha reservation movement and the legacy of Sharad Pawar in western Maharashtra, is confident of maintaining its lead in Marathwada and western Maharashtra. Maratha agitation is a key factor in these regions, with the MVA seen as having the upper hand.

In Vidarbha, discontent among farmers and youth, coupled with the Dalit, Muslim and Kunbi alliance that benefited the Congress in the Lok Sabha polls, could also play a decisive role in the MVA’s favour.

Reports citing political analysts believe the BJP’s success in Vidarbha will depend on its ability to appeal to various caste groups and the impact of populist welfare schemes. While the Mahayuti is optimistic about maintaining its hold in Konkan and parts of Vidarbha, the MVA is poised to exploit any growing dissatisfaction among the electorate, particularly in rural areas.

Ultimately, the performance of both alliances in Vidarbha and MMR-Konkan will be crucial in determining the balance of power in Maharashtra’s assembly elections. The elections will be conducted in a single phase, with the polling date on November 20. The counting of votes will take place on November 23.

Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Monday alleged that Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has promised Rs 50 crore to each MLA to secure election victories.

Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Raut said “Yesterday, there were 2 vehicles which had almost Rs 15 crores in them. As I had said earlier, Eknath Shinde has promised his people to give them Rs 50 crore each to win elections, it was the first instalment of Rs 15 crore.”

“There were two vehicles, they let go of one after receiving a call as the inspector that was on duty there was in service of the MLA earlier. Almost 150 MLAs of the state have received Rs 15 crore each by now,” Raut alleged.

Pune Rural Police Seizes Cash Worth ₹5 Crore From Khed Shivapur Toll Booth

His statement comes after Pune Rural Police seized cash worth Rs 5 crore at Khed Shivapur toll booth during a Nakabandi late evening on October 21.

“A total of Rs 5 crore cash was found in the car during Nakabandi by Pune Rural Police at Khed Shivapur toll Naka… Four people who were travelling in the car including the driver were questioned,” Pune Rural SP, Pankaj Deshmukh said.

“Cash has been handed over to officials of the Income Tax Department for further probe,” Pune Rural SP, Pankaj Deshmukh said.

This comes as Maharashtra prepares for a single-phase election on November 20, with counting set for November 23.

Parties Intensify Preparations For Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024

Both the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) — comprising the Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), and Congress — have intensified their preparations for the upcoming elections to 288 Assembly seats in the State. The BJP is part of the ruling Mahayuti alliance alongside the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) and Ajit Pawar-led NCP.

In the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, Shiv Sena secured 56, and Congress won 44 seats. In 2014, the BJP won 122 seats, Shiv Sena secured 63, and Congress won 42 seats.

Mumbai: The current temperature is 29°C. The forecast predicts a low of 23.5°C and a high of 34.4°C for the day. The humidity stands at 79% while the wind is blowing at a speed of 7.9 km/h. The sun will rise in the morning at 06:34 AM and is expected to set in the evening at 06:10 PM.

The weather forecast for today predicts rain in the skies. Please organise your schedule based on the temperature and anticipated weather conditions. Have fun in the sun and remember to wear sunscreen and sunglasses while you bask in the warm weather.

Today, the Air Quality Index in Mumbai is at 294.0, classified as ‘Moderate’.

There is a forecast for a decrease in rainfall and its end by Wednesday, resulting in an increase in temperatures. Nevertheless, IMD experts have suggested that light rain and thunderstorms could persist in certain areas of the district for the next 2-3 days, with no yellow alerts in place from Tuesday onwards.

Mumbai Experiences Post-Monsoon

As the monsoon winds withdraw from Maharashtra, the state is witnessing an increase in both maximum and minimum temperatures. Despite occasional showers, meteorologists believe the rainfall is caused by cyclonic circulation from low-pressure systems in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal, and not by the monsoon.

Cyclone Dana

IMD has predicted that a cyclone named ‘Dana’ will develop over the Bay of Bengal by October 23, with its strength growing by Wednesday. Weather experts have confirmed that the cyclonic system will move towards Odisha and West Bengal, avoiding direct impact on Maharashtra.

Within the next day, it is expected that the cyclone will intensify in the east-central area of the Bay of Bengal, moving in a northwest direction and potentially affecting the coastal region of Odisha by October 24th.

Although the cyclone isn’t expected to directly impact Maharashtra, the IMD has predicted intermittent rainfall in Mumbai for the next 48 hours. Furthermore, there is a possibility of rainfall in regions like Satara, Sangli, and Pune from October 26 to 29, while Beed, Latur, and Nagpur are forecasted to have overcast skies.