Maharashtra Records 45.53% Voter Turnout By 3 PM In Assembly Elections Amid Tensions And Disruptions

As of 5 pm on election day, Maharashtra recorded a voter turnout of 45.53% across 288 Assembly constituencies. Gadchiroli, a Naxal-infested district, topped the list with a remarkable 62.99% turnout, setting a record for the region.

Voter turnout varied significantly across districts, with cities such as Mumbai City and Mumbai Suburbs recording lower participation rates of 39.34% and 40.89%, respectively. Other regions saw relatively higher turnouts, including Kolhapur with 54.06%, Bhandara at 51.32%, and Sindhudurg at 51.05%. Specific turnout data from key districts includes:

– Ahmednagar: 47.85%
– Amravati: 45.13%
– Nagpur: 44.45%
– Solapur: 43.49%
– Yavatmal: 48.81%
– Pune: 41.70%

Tensions Escalate in Parli After Polling Booth Vandalized

In the Parli Assembly constituency, tensions flared following an attack on an NCP-SP leader, Madhav Jadhav. Jadhav, a leader from the Sharad Pawar-led NCP, was reportedly beaten up, prompting his supporters to storm the nearby polling station and vandalize the voting booth. The attack, which was captured on video and shared widely on social media, resulted in damage to the voting machine and a temporary halt in voting.

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The local police, including a large deployment of state reserve police personnel, intervened to restore order. The situation is now under control, according to police sources. NCP Minister Dhananjay Munde condemned the attack and urged the Election Commission to take action against those responsible for the violence. He also called for enhanced police protection for candidates across all parties.

Voting Disruptions in Paranda and Legal Action Against Shiv Sena Candidate

Meanwhile, voting was briefly disrupted at the Rohkal centre in Paranda taluka due to a technical issue with the voting machine. The malfunction, reported at 1:35 p.m., was resolved by 2:20 p.m., allowing voting to continue.

In another development, police have filed a case against Kedar Dighe, the Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction) nominee from Kapri Pachpakhadi, for allegedly distributing liquor and money. Dighe is contesting against Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in a high-profile election battle.

Controversy Surrounds Shiv Sena Leaders Over Alleged Misconduct

The electoral atmosphere further intensified with a video uploaded by the Leader of Opposition in the state council, Ambadas Danve. The video reportedly shows Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Sanjay Shirsat engaging in abusive behavior toward fellow party leaders, adding fuel to the ongoing political tensions in the state.

As the day unfolds, authorities are closely monitoring developments to ensure a fair and peaceful election process across Maharashtra.