"We are doing politics of development": Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde

Thane (Maharashtra) [India], November 20 (ANI): Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde said on Monday that people of Maharashtra are happy with work done in the last two-and-a-half years by the state government and that Mahayuti is doing "politics of development".

"The atmosphere is good, people are coming out of their homes to vote. People are happy with the development work that has been done in the last two and a half years," Shrikant Shinde told ANI.

Maharashtra has seen 45.53 per cent voting till 3 pm in the assembly polls.

Replying to a query on Ladki Behin Yojana, Shinde said it is an effective scheme and women are voting in large numbers for their brother. "We are doing the politics of development".

He also reiterated slogan 'ek hai, to safe hain' which Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised in his election speeches in the state.

Earlier in the day, after casting his vote, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde called elections a "festival of democracy" and urged everyone to participate actively.

"Today is the festival of democracy, and everyone should participate and vote. This will strengthen Maharashtra and its democracy. People have not forgotten what happened in 2019. The mandate was for Mahayuti, but Mahayuti could not form the government. People have seen their (Maha Vikas Aghadi) 2.5 years of rule and our 2.5 years of development. Mahayuti will form the government with a huge majority," the Maharashtra CM said.

The naxal-affected Gadchiroli district in Maharashtra recorded the highest voter turnout of 62.99 per cent, while the district of Thane recorded the lowest voter turnout of 38.94 per cent and Mumbai city recorded 39.34 per cent till 3 pm, as per the Election Commission data.

Mumbai Suburban recorded a voter turnout of 40.89 per cent, Nagpur 44.45 per cent, Aurangabad 47.05 per cent, Pune 41.70 per cent, Nashik 46.86 per cent, Satara 49.82 per cent, Dhule 47.62 per cent, Palghar 46.82 per cent, Ratnagiri 50.04 per cent, Nanded 42.87 per cent and Latur 48.34 per cent. (ANI)