Maharashtra, Jharkhand Elections Date 2024 Highlights: Congress announces Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as its candidate for Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll

"Personally also I am very happy that Priyanka ji is coming to Parliament to raise the voice of poor, Dalits, backward classes and Tribals. She will win by a huge margin...there is a layer of happiness in Congress because she is going to come into Parliament. She will win by a huge margin from Wayanad," said Congress leader Udit Raj.

"We were waiting for this for the last 2 years. Elections have been announced. We had hoped for justice from the Court but it didn't happen. We now hope that we will get justice in the court of the people. We have been seeing the loot of Maharashtra for the last 2 years, unemployed youth are everywhere but all the industries and job opportunities are going to Gujarat...The entire Maharashtra knows that the state has been run by Gujarat for the last 2 years. The upcoming Assembly elections, will show that Maharashtra will be run by Maharashtra and will listen only its own voice," says Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray (ANI)

"Voting will be held in Maharashtra on 20th November, the day will decide the fate of the state. The works done by Mahayuti in last 2.5 years are before the people to see...Maharashtra is heading towards progress. The state is no. 1 in all services, no. 1 in welfare schemes. Its results will be seen in the elections. The works of Maha Vikas Afghadi and the State government will be assessed. Mayayuti will form the government with an absolute majority," says CM Eknath Shinde.

“Election Commission has announced dates for Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly polls, as well as for by-elections in UP’s nine Assembly constituencies. We welcome the Election Commission’s announcement. We are sure that just like in Haryana, lotus will bloom in Maharashtra, Jharkhand and UP,” said Uttar Pradesh deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya (PTI)

"We welcome the announcement of (Assembly) elections. Students who work all year long, don't get scared before the exam. Hemant Soren and alliance have worked a lot for the people. People have understood this," said JMM MP Mahua Maji after Jharkhand elections dates announcement.

"Election dates have been announced in Jharkhand and I welcome these dates...I request the people of the state to choose the double-engine, corruption-free government that will work for the people of the state and the development of the state...JMM and Congress are afraid before contesting the elections...In Jharkhand NDA is together and strong," said BJP MP Deepak Prakash.

"First of all, I congratulate the Election Commission that they are holding elections in Jharkhand in 2 phases. Before this, Elections used to be held there longer - in 5 phases. We have seen how peaceful elections were held in Haryana and J&K. So, Election Commission will definitely hold very fair and peaceful elections. BJP is always ready for elections. Our workers go ahead with 'Nation First' and work with dedication to the nation...Jharkhand Government is very corrupt. There is anti-government atmosphere in the state. People want this government to go away," said Union minister Annapurna Devi. (ANI)

"In the same way we (Maha Vikas Aghadi) fought the Lok Sabha elections, we will fight the Maharashtra Assembly elections and win...Corruption, unemployment has increased, there is a total collapse of law and order in the state," said Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant.

The Kerala in charges will decide whether I will be on the ground or not...I want to join her in the campaigning," says Congress Amethi MP KL Sharma. (ANI)

"The (state) govt has been given enough time to deal with their business and to make election announcements as well and dates have been announced at the last moment. MVA is fully prepared and BJP knows that they won't get anything in Maharashtra and MVA is going to form govt with a huge majority," said Congress leader Imran Pratapgarhi.

"Maha Vikas Aghadi is ready for the elections. The declaration for seat sharing will be done very soon. There is smooth coordination between the alliance partners. We will win the Maharashtra Assembly elections and form the government," said NCP-SCP leader Anil Deshmukh after Maharashtra poll announcement. (ANI)

"The Election Commission has announced the poll dates today. Polling will be held on November 20 and the counting will take place on November 23 in Maharashtra. I am sure that in Maharashtra, the Mahayuti alliance will do very well. I am sure that people will go with good work and development," said NCP leader Praful Patel. (PTI)

"With the announcement of election dates, the countdown for the current (state) government has started. The current (state) government has failed on every level," said BJP leader Arjun Munda after Jharkhand poll announcement.

"We welcome the dates announced by the ECI for the election in Jharkhand...We are fully prepared for the elections...People of Jharkhand have made up their minds and they will once again choose the ally government here", State Congress president Keshav Mahto Kamlesh told ANI.

"The elections in 2024 are being held a month earlier than the elections held in 2019. We are fully prepared and from our preparations, and the work done by our government, we believe that a maximum number of people will participate in the elections to be held on the 13th and 20th of November because whatever the government has done, there is enthusiasm among the people and given the enthusiasm, the voting percentage will increase and what we want is that Jharkhand should be seen as a new Jharkhand..." former state Congress chief Rajesh Thakur told news agency ANI.

NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar has said he will not rest until he brings Maharashtra on the "right track" regardless of how old he is. "On those banners, I was described as an old man of 84 years. But you do not worry, because be it 84 or be it 90, this old man will not stop. This old man will not rest until he brings the state on the right track and I am sure of getting your help," the NCP (SP) supremo said.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said, "We appeal EC to not to let Maharashtra election to become like Haryana election, money game might take place. if Election Commission considers themselves unbiased, we don't though, they will have to take care of all these things. EVM is not full proof, no matter what government will change. This unconstitutional government that was formed with the support of PM Modi, Amit Shah and the Supreme Court, will change."

CEC Rajiv Kumar questioned the early trends shown within 15-30 minutes of start of vote counting. He also said that EC will respond to 'all 20 complaints on EVMs individually, fact-by-fact' on Congress' charges on Haryana polls.

The key contenders in the Maharashtra elections are the ruling Mahayuti Alliance, which includes the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition, comprising the Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), and Congress.

In the recent parliamentary elections to 48 seats in the state, the opposition MVA fared well. The BJP's share fell to 9 seats, down from 23 seats five years ago. MVA secured 30 seats. In the 2019 assembly election, the BJP won 105 seats and the Congress 44.

Bypolls to Kedarnath assembly seat in Uttarakhand, Nanded Lok Sabha seat in Maharashtra will be held on November 20. The counting for all bypolls will be done on November 23.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday announced dates for the Jharkhand assembly elections, which will be held on November 13 and 20 in two phases. The results will be declared on November 23, along with Maharashtra.

The Election Commission of India on Tuesday announced the assembly election dates for the state of Maharashtra. Elections in Maharashtra will be held in single phase on November 20. The counting of votes will be on November 23.

EC announce facilities for senior citizens & people with disabilities which include:

●Voters aged 85 or above & PwD voters can avail optional home voting facility by filling form12D
●Ramp, wheelchairs, Volunteers, priority in voting, Transport facility.
●Saksham App

"On behalf of the Election Commission of India, we thank all the voters of Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana for strongly participating in polls. People of Jammu and Kashmir have made festival of democracy historic. As the world's biggest democracy, India is setting gold standards in every election," Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said.

CEC Rajiv Kumar appreciated high participation in Jammu & Kashmir and Haryana elections. He also pointed out that the elections were conducted peacefully, without any violence being reported.

Chief Election Commissioner of India Rajiv Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, address press conference to announce the schedule for Jharkhand and Maharashtra Assembly polls.

Election Commission of India holds a press conference in Delhi. Dates for Assembly elections in Jharkhand and Maharashtra to be announced shortly.

Maharashtra BJP President Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Tuesday said that the BJP, Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, and the NCP will work together for the upcoming elections.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony for seven newly appointed members, Bawankule emphasised that the model code of conduct is now in effect.

"Mahayuti is fully prepared for the elections. We will go to the forefront. The formula of our three parties is also certain. It will come out in two-three days. Mahayuti will go to the people; we will give our manifesto to them," he said.

"PM Modi's government is in power for the next 5 years, and if the Mahayuti government is formed in Maharashtra, then the double-engine government can do good to the people and can take Maharashtra towards development. If even one vote goes to Congress, then it will create hindrance in development," the BJP state president said.

Maharashtra Congress has taken disciplinary action against MLA Hiraman Khoskar, expelling him from the party for a period of six years. The decision comes after Khoskar, who represents the Igatpuri assembly constituency in Nashik district, joined the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Ajit Pawar on Monday.

In a letter dated October 14, Nana Patole, the president of the Maharashtra Congress, stated that "Khoskar was involved in 'anti-party activities during the Lok Sabha polls and even after that'. The expulsion is a consequence of Khoskar's actions, which were deemed by the party to be detrimental.

"Rashid Alvi ji's statement shows that the Congress party has no faith in democratic institutions. The same EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines) helped Congress win in Telangana and Karnataka. Congress has accepted that they cannot get public support in the country, which is why they are attacking our democratic institutions out of desperation. That is why their alliance is called the ‘Maha Vinash Aghadi’," says BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari on Congress leader Rashid Alvi’s remarks on EVMs.

Ahead of the Election Commission's announcement regarding the Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly elections today, BJP leader Pratul Shah Deo attacked the ruling JMM party citing misrule, corruption, misgovernance in its governance and claimed that JMM will face a crushing defeat and Chief Minister Hemant Soren will be the last prince of the Soren dynasty after the polls.

BJP leader Pratul Shah Deo said, "We are fully prepared as the elections here were due and Assembly's term was ending on January 5, so the elections had to be held before that. Jharkhand Mukti Morcha has panicked so much that it officially posted that it is a murder of democracy and they are holding elections before time."

"Their reign of misrule, corruption, misgovernance and loot is about to end and BJP is getting immense success. It has become clear that Hemant Soren will prove to be the last prince of the Soren dynasty and JMM will face a crushing defeat," said Deo.

Responding to Congress leader Rashid Alvi's demand that voting should be conducted using ballot papers, Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske on Tuesday alleged that Pakistan and Congress are alike, sharing similar thoughts that may harm India.

"Pakistan and Congress are alike, sharing similar thoughts that may harm India. People realize Congress's intentions are harmful and deceitful, leading to their decline. This has led to widespread disillusionment, causing people to turn away from Congress," Mhaske told ANI.

Ahead of the announcement of dates for the Jharkhand and Maharashtra assembly elections, Congress leader Rashid Alvi on Tuesday demanded that voting should be conducted using ballot papers. He said if electronic voting machines (EVMs) would be used, the BJP government and the Election Commission "can do anything.

The Congress party asserted on Tuesday that the Mahayuti government in Maharashtra is aware of its slim chances of returning to power and has allegedly spent its final days in office granting "gifts" to the Adani group at the cost of the citizens of Mumbai and the state. Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary in charge of communications, said ahead of the announcement of the Maharashtra assembly polls schedule that the top leadership's directives are unambiguous - "the Mahayuti's electoral future is bleak, but before it loses power, it must safeguard Modani's financial future".

In an post, Ramesh said, "The ECI is expected to announce the Maharashtra Assembly Elections today at 3:30 pm. A desperate Mahayuti knowing it is not coming back to power has spent its last few days bestowing gifts to Modani at the expense of the people of Mumbai and Maharashtra,"

Listing the alleged favours to the conglomerate, Ramesh said, "September 15 2024: Modani wins energy contract to supply 6,600 MW power to Maharashtra at inflated consumer prices. September 30 2024: 255 acres of ecologically fragile salt pan land handed over to Modani.

The Election Commission of India will announce the dates for the Jharkhand Assembly elections on Tuesday, officially kickstarting the electoral contest between the NDA and the INDIA bloc.

However, both coalitions have already begun laying the groundwork for what promises to be a fierce battle for power in the state.

Though Soren was temporarily removed from office for five months following his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-Congress-RJD alliance maintained its hold on power.