Fadnavis Buoyant Over Higher Voter Turnout, Credits 'Ladki Bahin' Scheme

Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has attributed the rise in voter turnout to pro-incumbency and voter affinity towards the Mahayuti government, especially among women.

Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis.

Source : PTI

Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis attributed the uptick in voter turnout during the recent assembly elections to a sense of "pro-incumbency" and a notable "affinity" among voters for the Mahayuti government. 

"The number of voters is increasing in Maharashtra. Whenever voter turnout rises, the BJP and its allies benefit. Initial feedback suggests that voter turnout, especially among women, has increased. This is a positive sign for the formation of a new Mahayuti government in Maharashtra," he said.

Nagpur: Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis says, "In Maharashtra, the number of voters is increasing. Whenever voter turnout rises, the BJP and its allies benefit. Initial feedback suggests that voter turnout, especially among women, has increased. This is a positive sign… pic.twitter.com/jaxTIkPHUa

— IANS (@ians_india) November 21, 2024

Preliminary estimates indicate that approximately 65% of voters participated in the assembly elections held on Wednesday, a rise from 61.74% recorded in the 2019 elections, according to election officials, reported news agency PTI. 

Fadnavis further said: "We have received information that the percentage of women voting for us has increased due to the Ladki Bahin scheme. There is no discussion about the CM post at the moment. After the results are out, we, will sit together and decide."

🕜 1.15pm | 21-11-2024 📍 Nagpur.

LIVE | Media interaction#Maharashtra #Nagpur https://t.co/RgT4KmNDDb

— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) November 21, 2024

In this election cycle, the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance sought to maintain its hold on power, while the opposition coalition, Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), aimed to build on its recent successes in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Speaking to reporters at Nagpur airport, Fadnavis noted, "The increase in voter turnout in Maharashtra is significant, and historically, such trends tend to benefit the BJP and its allied parties. We anticipate that this will work in our favour as we aim to form the government."

When questioned about differing predictions from exit polls — some favouring the BJP-led alliance while others leaning towards the MVA — Fadnavis said that discussions about exit polls should be left to party spokespersons rather than leadership.

In response to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's call for the arrest of industrialist Gautam Adani following allegations of bribery and fraud in the US, Fadnavis dismissed it as routine commentary from Gandhi. He also said that Rahul Gandhi's remarks did not hold any importance.