Sindhudurg (Maharashtra) [India], November 20 : BJP candidate from the Kankavli assembly constituency in Maharashtra, Nitesh Rane on Wednesday expressed confidence in the victory of the BJP-led alliance in the assembly elections, saying that they will return with a thumping majority in the state.
Rane emphasized the importance of staying connected with his constituents, stating that being in touch with the electorate eliminates potential problems.
"If an MLA or MP always stays in touch with their electorate then it is not a problem. We are connected to the ground. My entire family has been working for the Konkan region. The people of this constituency are my extended family. The people here know that our family has been working for them since 1990," he said.
Rane highlighted the increased voter turnout in Assembly polls as compared to the Lok Sabha elections, and said, "Voting turnout has been better than in Lok Sabha elections...For us, people must exercise their right to vote...This election was not challenging as we were confident of the work done by us...I think we will return with a thumping majority."
Rane is aiming for a hattrick against Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Sandesh Parkar from the Kankavli assembly constituency.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra polled 58.22 per cent votes till 5 pm on Wednesday.
The ruling Mahayuti is poised to retain power in Maharashtra with the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) also putting up a strong show in assembly polls, exit polls predicted on Wednesday after the conclusion of polling on 288 seats in the state.
According to the Republic TV-PMARQ exit poll, the Mahayuti alliance could win 137-157 seats whereas the Maha Vikas Aghadi could get 126-147 seats and others 2-8 seats.
Mahayuti includes BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi includes Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP).
Matrize exit poll projected 150-170 seats for the Mahayuti alliance and 110-130 seats for Maha Vikas Aghadi. It said others could get 8-10 seats.
The majority mark in Maharashtra assembly is 145 and the range of Republic TV-PMARQ prediction suggested that even MVA could cross the mark.
The elections saw a keen contest between Mahayuti and MVA. It was first assembly poll in the state after splits in Shiv Sena and NCP.