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Ahead of the counting day, Pune NCP president Deepak Mankar reacted to the exit poll predictions for the state and exuded confidence in the BJP-led Mahayuti's victory saying, that the alliance will secure 180 seats and sweep all the 8 seats in Pune district.
Speaking to ANI about the exit polls, Mankar said, "The whole atmosphere stands in support of the Mahayuti in Maharashtra. We work on the ground level and that is why we know that the public supports the work that we do. It will be disclosed in these elections. I think Mahayuti will get 180 seats here. Our candidates have done good work in their constituencies. In Pune also, Mahayuti will win all the 8 seats." Meanwhile, Pune Collector Suhas Diwase also spoke to ANI ahead of counting day and said, that the administration is fully prepared and that the necessary barricading has been completed at the counting centres. Speaking to ANI on Thursday about the preparations for counting day, Suhas Diwase said, "Necessary barricading has been done. We are ready in terms of logistics. For counting, we have appointed micro observers and counting supervisors." Describing the formalities of the vote-counting process, he said, "We will start counting the postal ballots first at 8 am. One hour before that, the storeroom will be opened. On average, 400 postal ballots will be counted at each table." The voting for 288 assembly seats in Maharashtra concluded on Wednesday, and the counting of votes is scheduled for November 23. Most exit polls projected that the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is likely to form the government, while some predict a close contest. In contrast, Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole remained confident of Maha Vikas Aghadi's (MVA) victory in Assembly elections despite poll predictions favouring the Mahayuti alliance to form a government. Speaking with ANI, Nana Patole highlighted inflation and unemployment as the major issues that affect the elections. "It is clear that Maha Vikas Aghadi will come to power and we will form the government on 25th November. We will make sure what happened in Haryana does not happen in Maharashtra. The youth, women and the unemployed have voted in large numbers. BJP will suffer due to issues of inflation and unemployment," Patole said. Responding to the BJP's allegation of 'Vote Jihad', Patole accused the party of distributing money and liquor in Maharashtra. He asked, "Was it not jihad." The ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance comprises the BJP, Shiv Sena, and the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The opposition MVA includes the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the NCP faction led by Sharad Pawar. (ANI)
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