Maharashtra polls: "Reason for victory is PM Modi's development role," says Union Minister Athawale

Attributing the victory of the Mahayuti alliance to the development schemes, specifically the Ladki Bahin Yojana, and expressed confidence in the alliance increasing its victory margin and even winning more than 225 seats as the counting concludes.

"The reason for the victory is the development role of PM Modi in 'sabka saath sabka vikas' and the decisions taken by the Maharashtra government in the last 2.5 years. A lot of those decisions were anyway great, but the Ladki Bahin (yojana) decision was definitely revolutionary... We are confident that we can get up to 225-230 seats," he told ANI.

Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated the leaders in Maharashtra, CM Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis as the Mahayuti alliance approaches a landslide victory.

Maharashtra incumbent CM Eknath Shinde also stated that just as the alliance fought the elections together, they will collectively decide on the Chief Minister's face once the final results are declared.

"Let the final results come in... Then, in the same way as we fought elections together, all three parties will sit together and take a decision (on who will be the CM)," incumbent CM Shinde said.

Meanwhile, celebrations were seen at Shinde's residence in Thane, with bouquets arriving and Shiv Sena workers cheering outside. Shiv Sena MP and Shinde's son, Shrikant Shinde, were also seen celebrating with fellow party members.

The alliance had crossed the crucial 145 majority mark, winning in winning one seat and leading in over 220 seats.

Meanwhile, NCP party workers celebrated in Baramati, where Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar is leading by 15,382 votes. Supporters were seen bursting crackers to mark the moment. (ANI)