Polling for the fifth phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections began on May 20 across 49 seats in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal, and Jammu and Kashmir. Key candidates in the fray include Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Smriti Irani, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. The outcome of this phase will influence the overall electoral landscape and determine the fate of several prominent political figures.
On May 20, Maharashtra will witness its final round of polling in the Lok Sabha elections 2024. Thirteen constituencies, including six crucial seats in Mumbai, will hold elections, marking the culmination of a five-phase polling process in the state. Several measures have been implemented to ensure a smooth and fair voting experience, including the closure of educational institutions, banks, and liquor shops in electoral areas. Additionally, the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange (NSE) will be closed. With 48 Lok Sabha seats, Maharashtra plays a significant role in shaping the national political landscape.
The fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections will take place on May 20, 2024, marking the end of voting in Maharashtra and the last phase of voting in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. A total of 49 constituencies from eight states and Union Territories will go to the polls, including 13 constituencies in Maharashtra, one constituency in Jammu and Kashmir, and one constituency in Ladakh.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has set a target of winning over 400 seats in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. The party has allied with various regional parties in different states to contest the polls, aiming to retain Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a third term. The BJP faces competition from the Indian National Congress (INC) and other regional parties, with key battles expected in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Maharashtra.
An intense cyclone is expected to form in the Bay of Bengal and impact Odisha, Maharashtra, and Gujarat between May 23-27, according to Mumbai Nowcast. The weather office has predicted heavy rainfall for Gujarat and around May 28, 2024. The cyclone is currently intensifying and expected to make landfall on the eastern coast before moving westward, impacting a wide area of the country.
The Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test Cell has declared the results for the MAH MBA CET 2024 entrance exam. Candidates can download their scorecards from the official website (cetcell.mahacet.org) using their login information. Over 1 lakh students appeared for the exam conducted on March 9th, 10th, and 11th. A merit list will be released for qualified students to participate in the counselling process. College cut-offs based on these scores will follow.
The Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (CET) cell has released the final answer key for the MAH MBA CET 2024 exam. Candidates who appeared for the exam can check the final answer key on the official website, cetcell.mahacet.org. The exam was held on March 9, 10, and 11. According to the objection redressal process, candidates will receive one mark in 12 sessions, and the answer key for 11 sessions has been updated accordingly. The final outcome of the MAH MBA CET 2024 result declaration will be determined by the finalized answer key.
Activist Manoj Jarange has announced that the Maratha quota agitation will resume on June 4th, coinciding with the announcement of the Lok Sabha election results. The agitation will include an indefinite hunger strike and a rally on June 8th in Beed district. Jarange expressed dissatisfaction with the 10% reservation granted to economically backward categories, claiming it has proven ineffective in police recruitment. He urged the government to address their demands before the resumption of protests.
Alcohol storage limits vary across northern Indian states, ranging from strict bans in some states to specific limits in others. Delhi residents can store up to 18 liters of alcohol, while Maharashtra requires a license for alcohol consumption and transportation. Haryana sets specific quantities for different types of alcoholic beverages, including IMFL, beer, rum, vodka, and wine. Punjab allows limited quantities of IMFL, beer, foreign liquor, domestic liquor, and brandy. Uttar Pradesh permits storage of 1.5 liters of foreign alcoholic beverages, 2 liters of wine, and 6 liters of beer. Rajasthan allows up to 12 bottles or 9 liters of IMFL, while Jammu and Kashmir permits 12 bottles of IMFL and 12 beer bottles. Himachal Pradesh has a high limit, allowing 48 beer bottles and 36 whisky bottles to be stored at home.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has filed an FIR against Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut for making derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Addressing a public rally in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar, Raut allegedly commented about burying PM Modi in Maharashtra, drawing a parallel with Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. The BJP has condemned Raut’s remarks as a ‘direct threat’ to the life of the Prime Minister and has demanded action from the Election Commission and Mumbai police. The party has also written to the EC expressing concerns that such comments could lead to communal disharmony and affect the peaceful election campaign.
