Maharashtra MLC Polls: Here's how BJP-led Mahayuti Alliance defeated opposition and won 9 out of 11 seats

In a surprising turn of events, the NDA-led Mahayuti alliance secured a decisive victory in the recent Maharashtra biennial legislative council elections, winning all nine seats it contested out of 11. This victory comes after the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance had shown a strong performance in the Lok Sabha polls.

Notable winners from the Mahayuti alliance included BJP's Pankaja Munde. Meanwhile, the MVA saw victories for Shiv Sena's Milind Narvekar and Congress's Pragya Satav. However, Jayant Patil from the Peasants and Workers' Party, despite backing from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), lost his seat.

The election had 12 candidates vying for 11 seats, making the competition intense. According to reports, Congress's votes might have been split. Congress has 37 MLAs, and 25 of them gave their first preference votes to Pragya Satav. This left 12 first preference votes unaccounted for, reported India Today.

Milind Narvekar received 22 first-preference votes, although the Uddhav Sena only has 15 MLAs. Even with seven additional votes from Congress, five votes remain unaccounted for. Jayant Patil received 12 first preference votes from the NCP (SP) faction.

Eight candidates won by securing the necessary 23 first preference votes. Others depended on second choice votes.

This election highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of both alliances. The Shiv Sena managed to secure a win despite limited MLA support. The BJP’s candidates included members from diverse backgrounds, including OBC, Dalit, and Maratha communities.

With assembly elections just three months away, this result underscores the strength of the Shinde and Ajit Pawar factions. Despite Congress's earlier success in the Lok Sabha, these results indicate potential challenges ahead.