The nation watches with bated breath as the Election Commission of India begins counting votes for the Assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand, along with by-polls in several states. The results of the polls will determine the fate of top leaders in the respective states, including Eknath Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis, Ajit Pawar, Aaditya Thackeray, Hemant Soren, Kalpana Soren, Babulal Marandi, and Priyanka Gandhi, among others. With the majority mark at 145 and 41 in Maharashtra and Jharkhand respectively, the outcome of the elections will have a significant impact on the future of these states. Stay tuned to https://results.eci.gov.in for live updates.
Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly Election Results: Key Takeaways
On October 21, 2019, the Election Commission of India (ECI) initiated the counting process for Assembly elections in the states of Maharashtra and Jharkhand, along with by-polls in several other states. The outcome of these elections has had a profound impact on the political landscape of both states.
Maharastra Results
In Maharashtra, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged as the single largest party, securing 105 seats out of the 288-member state assembly. However, it fell short of the majority mark of 145, leading to a protracted period of coalition-building.
After weeks of negotiations, the BJP entered into an alliance with the Shiv Sena, a former ally that had temporarily split during the elections. The coalition government, led by BJP's Eknath Shinde as Chief Minister and Shiv Sena's Devendra Fadnavis as Deputy Chief Minister, was sworn in on November 28, 2019.
Jharkhand Results
In Jharkhand, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) emerged as the largest party, winning 30 seats in the 81-member state assembly. However, it also fell short of the majority mark of 41. The JMM formed an alliance with the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), gaining the support of 47 MLAs.
Hemant Soren of the JMM was sworn in as Chief Minister on December 29, 2019, forming the first non-BJP government in the state since 2014.
By-Poll Results
In addition to the Assembly elections, the ECI also conducted by-polls in several other states, including Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Punjab. The BJP emerged as the clear winner in most of these by-polls, consolidating its position as the dominant force in Indian politics.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers Related to Past and Present Elections
1. What was the voter turnout for the Maharashtra and Jharkhand elections?
2. Who is the incumbent Chief Minister of Maharashtra?
3. Who is the incumbent Chief Minister of Jharkhand?
4. What was the outcome of the 2014 Assembly elections in Maharashtra?
5. What was the outcome of the 2014 Assembly elections in Jharkhand?
In his speech during the ongoing Budget session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended the efforts of Indian citizens in making the Maha Kumbh a successful event, citing its record-breaking attendance of 66 crore devotees. He also acknowledged the unity in diversity seen at the event, which reflected India's strength. However, the Congress criticized PM Modi for not addressing the stampede deaths that occurred during the Maha Kumbh.
The New Hampshire Senate was unable to pass a bill that would have legalized home cultivation of cannabis for medical purposes, as the vote ended in a deadlock. Despite the growing demand for decriminalization, it seems unlikely that marijuana will be legalized this session, with the governor strongly opposed to changing the current laws. While some senators argued that patients should have access to homegrown cannabis, others raised concerns about potential risks and abuse. The issue is likely to come up again in future sessions as the call for legalization continues to grow.
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, who is currently serving a 20-year jail term for rape, has been granted a 21-day furlough by the Haryana government. This decision has sparked outrage from the families of his victims, as Singh has a history of using his furloughs and paroles to influence elections in certain states where his followers hold significant power. Amidst the controversy, cancer survivor Susana Demore urges people to be cautious of everyday products that may contain harmful chemicals, especially for those with cancer.
As President Donald Trump addresses a group of faith leaders at a recent prayer service and dinner, he reaffirms his commitment to preserving America's Christian values. In his speech, Trump touts his accomplishments in line with Christian beliefs and vows to never let the country's motto of "In God We Trust" be changed. He also takes a swipe at previous administrations for not standing up for persecuted Christians around the world, promising that things will be different under his leadership.
The Indian government has assured the Supreme Court that no appointments will be made to Waqf Boards and the Central Waqf Council until the next hearing on May 5. The court is currently considering the constitutionality of several aspects of the Waqf Act, 2025, including the inclusion of non-Muslims in Waqf Boards and the power of the Collector to change the status of disputed waqf lands. The Centre has requested a week to file an affidavit before the court passes an interim order, and the cases have been deferred to May 5.
Dera Sacha Sauda chief and rape convict Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh has been granted a 20-day parole ahead of the upcoming Haryana assembly elections, sparking controversy and backlash from political parties. This marks the 10th time in the past two years that the convicted leader has been granted parole for various reasons, raising questions about the motives behind his frequent releases from prison. The Supreme Court has also issued a notice in connection with a 2002 murder case involving the former Dera manager, adding to the ongoing legal battle surrounding Ram Rahim.
The recently passed Waqf (Amendment) Act, which addresses the management of religious properties, has sparked controversy and has been challenged in the Supreme Court. This raises the question of whether the Supreme Court has the power to overturn a law passed by the Parliament. This article explains the Supreme Court's authority and previous instances of it declaring laws unconstitutional.
In a hearing regarding the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna stated that the Supreme Court has recorded the Centre's assurance that no appointments will be made to Waqf Boards and Councils under the Act until the next hearing. The Court has directed that a nodal counsel be appointed to coordinate amongst all parties involved and that no Waqf property, including those declared by notification, will be altered by the Collector. The Centre has been ordered to provide a response within seven days and the petitioners have been given five days to respond.
In a recent hearing, the Supreme Court has ordered protection of registered Waqf and announced that the Centre will have to respond within seven days to the petitions challenging the Waqf (Amendment) Act. This comes as the court continues to hear the petitions challenging the act, ensuring that Waqf, already registered or declared, will not be denotified or changed by the Collector until the next hearing. This decision has been met with both scrutiny and support from various political entities.
Justice Bhushan Gavai, a noted Supreme Court judge, has been recommended for the position of next Chief Justice of India by current CJI Sanjiv Khanna. Gavai is set to become the second Dalit to hold this prestigious position, after Justice KG Balakrishnan in 2007. With notable judgements such as the abrogation of Article 370 and being a native of Maharashtra, Gavai is poised to make a mark during his approximately six-month term as CJI before his retirement in November.