Live Updates: Nitin Gadkari and Sharad Pawar Cast Their Votes in Maharashtra Elections

Assembly Elections 2024 Live: While 288 constituencies vote in Maharashtra, the phase 2 polls in Jharkhand have placed 38 seats on the test.

New Delhi Assembly Elections 2024 Live Updates: Voting is currently underway in 288 Assembly seats in Maharashtra, with the ruling Mahayuti and Maha Vikas Aghadi vying for control in the state. Key contenders in the race include Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who is running from Kopri-Pachpakhadi, and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, defending his seat in Nagpur South West. Ajit Pawar, the NCP's leader and Deputy Chief Minister, wants to keep Baramati as a family bastion.

In Jharkhand, 528 people, including 55 women, one third-gender candidate, and 472 men, are running for 38 seats in this phase. More than 1.23 crore people, including 61 lakh women, are eligible to vote. The election will primarily pit the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led alliance against the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Jharkhand's prominent candidates include Chief Minister Hemant Soren, his wife Kalpana Soren, and his sister-in-law Sita Soren from the JMM.

Meanwhile, polling is ongoing for 15 Assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Kerala, and Uttarakhand. By-elections will be held in nine Uttar Pradesh seats: Meerapur, Kundarki, Ghaziabad, Khair, Karhal, Sishamau, Phulpur, Katehari, and Majhawan. In Punjab, by-elections are taking place in four Assembly constituencies: Gidderbaha, Dera Baba Nanak, Chabbewal (SC), and Barnala.

"Maharashtra is a progressive and rich state in the country. This state receives the most foreign investment, and agricultural exports are also expanding. It serves as a model state for the country. A good government and leadership can shape Maharashtra's future. Today is the festival of democracy, and I urge everyone to vote and utilize their democratic rights. We will win with a huge majority in Maharashtra. "People must vote for development and the state's future," says Union Minister Nitin Gadkari after casting his ballot.