Voting for the Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly Elections-2024 is currently underway. Voting hours are scheduled from 7 am to 6 pm, and the results will be announced on November 23. Jharkhand is holding elections for 38 assembly seats as part of its second phase of voting.
As of 11 am, Maharashtra reported a 18.14% voter turnout. The district of Gadchiroli recorded the highest turnout at 30%, while Nanded saw the lowest at 13.67%. High voter turnout has been observed across many areas, with large crowds gathering at polling stations since early morning. In addition, by-elections are taking place today for 14 seats across three other states.
Sachin Tendulkar, Other High-Profile Voters Cast Their Ballots
Many prominent figures turned up to vote in Maharashtra, reflecting their commitment to democracy. Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, along with his family, cast his vote at a Mumbai polling station. Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das and Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan were also spotted at polling stations, actively participating in the electoral process.
Several influential political leaders, including Supriya Sule and Ajit Pawar from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Chandrakant Patil, also exercised their voting rights. Their presence underscored the importance of this election, with high stakes for both state and national parties.
Bitcoin Scam Allegations Stir Political Tensions
As voting progresses, allegations surrounding the Bitcoin scam have surfaced once again, adding fuel to an already charged political atmosphere. The BJP accused Congress leader Nana Patole and NCP's Supriya Sule of using foreign funds to influence the elections. They allege that these funds were intended to sway voter decisions and impact election results. An audio clip, purportedly featuring Supriya Sule's voice, has also emerged, although Sule and NCP leader Sharad Pawar have categorically denied the allegations.
NCP leader Ajit Pawar acknowledged the existence of the audio clips but stated that they have been manipulated.
On the other hand, BJP General Secretary Vinod Tawde accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of spreading false information and challenged him to provide evidence of Tawde's alleged involvement in a separate scandal involving Rs. 5 crore.
Technical Glitches and Minor Disruptions at Polling Stations
Some technical issues were reported at polling stations in Nagpur Central, Nashik, and Malegaon due to malfunctions with the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Voting in Nagpur Central was delayed by an hour while technicians worked to resolve the problem. Despite these setbacks, polling has resumed smoothly in these areas.
In Dhule, tensions flared as workers from the BJP and the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi clashed outside a polling booth. Additionally, a suspicious vehicle was found parked outside the Shivaji Nagar polling station in Navi Mumbai. Security forces seized several electronic devices, including laptops, routers, and other equipment, from the vehicle, prompting concerns over potential tampering.
Shiv Sena Leader Priyanka Chaturvedi Responds to Allegations
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi also spoke out on the resurfacing of Bitcoin scam allegations, expressing that the BJP is making baseless accusations due to its apprehensions about the upcoming election results. According to Chaturvedi, the BJP is attempting to mislead voters by presenting falsified audio clips purportedly featuring Supriya Sule and Nana Patole. She claimed that the BJP's use of these clips and other tactics are a deliberate effort to distract voters, predicting a difficult outcome for the party in this election.
As the election day progresses, Maharashtra and Jharkhand voters continue to cast their ballots amid a climate of high tension, political accusations, and enthusiastic participation. The final results will bring clarity to these ongoing disputes, and the outcome on November 23 is expected to have significant repercussions for both state and national politics.
(Prakash Kumar Pandey)
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