In the Maharashtra Lok Sabha elections of 2024, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lost, as its total votes decreased by less than half in comparison to 2019. Thirty of the state’s 48 seats were taken by the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, which is composed of the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar)[1].
But there was only a 0.3 percent difference in the MVA’s vote share compared to that of the ruling Mahayuti (BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP)[4]. “The difference between Mahayuti and MVA is just 0.3 per cent so we discussed in detail where we lost votes, where we faced problems, and the corrective actions that need to be taken,” Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, acknowledging the narrow margin.[4]
In order to help the Mahayuti alliance win the next Maharashtra Assembly elections, the BJP is currently developing a plan for doing so. Fadnavis will remain the party’s top leader in the state as the party has decided to keep things as they are[4].
The BJP intends to begin a massive outreach initiative called Janadesh Yatra in Maharashtra starting in September in an effort to rebuild voter relations[4]. On July 14, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to speak at a significant 4,500-delegate BJP meeting in Pune[4].
The Mahayuti alliance won only 17 seats in the general election, while the MVA won 30, and the BJP wants to make up ground on those losses[1]. With a collective leadership approach, the party and its allies are confident of winning the assembly polls[4].
The BJP is still upbeat about its prospects in the Maharashtra Assembly elections in spite of the setback. The party intends to overcome the slim margin and win the crucial battle for the state with a targeted campaign and the backing of its allies.
Referral:
[1] https://www.business-standard.com/elections/lok-sabha-election/ls-election-result-2024-bjp-led-alliance-suffers-jolt-in-maharashtra-124060500001_1.html
[2] https://economictimes.com/newsletters/2169245.cms?from=mdr&ncode=d98de2da590206148774acb7b4542c15
[3] https://frontline.thehindu.com/politics/maharashtra-nda-mva-2024-assembly-election-bjp-shiv-sena-ncp-congress-uddhav-thackeray-sharad-pawar/article68299582.ece
[4] https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/how-bjp-plans-to-reconnect-with-voters-for-maharashtra-assembly-polls-2561808-2024-07-03
