Axis My India Exit Polls For Maharashtra: Who Will Be The Next Chief Minister?

The Axis My India Exit Poll for Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024 has revealed fascinating insights into voter preferences for the next Chief Minister of the state. With 31% of respondents supporting him, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde emerged as the most favored candidate to retain the post.

1. Eknath Shinde Takes the Lead

Eknath Shinde, the leader of the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), has cemented his position as the top choice for the CM role with 31% of the votes in the survey.

2. Devendra Fadnavis in Second Place

Former CM and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis ranked second, receiving 12% of the respondents' support.

3. Uddhav Thackeray Retains Influence

Uddhav Thackeray, leader of the Shiv Sena (UBT), emerged as the third choice, with 18% backing him for the top post. His stronghold among traditional Shiv Sena voters remains intact.

4. Other Contenders

• Sharad Pawar (NCP - SP faction) and "Any candidate from BJP" garnered 5% each.
• Nitin Gadkari, Ajit Pawar, and Raj Thackeray each received 2%.
• Congress leaders Nana Patole, Jayant Patil, and Prithviraj Chavan had minimal support, with "Any candidate from Congress" receiving a combined 10%.
• VBA leader Prakash Ambedkar secured 3% support, while 6% of voters remained undecided or did not express a preference.

The poll results indicate that the Maha Yuti alliance (comprising BJP, Shiv Sena - Shinde faction, and others) is likely to maintain its strong influence in Maharashtra. However, Uddhav Thackeray's significant support highlights the continued relevance of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in the state's politics.