A Poll Reversal for the Ages
In June, the Mahayuti alliance faced a crushing defeat in the Lok Sabha elections, winning only 17 out of 48 seats, compared to the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi’s (MVA) 31. Fast forward to the Assembly polls, the Mahayuti’s fortunes have drastically changed, securing 224 seats as per early trends. The BJP leads with 127 seats, followed by Shiv Sena with 49 and the NCP with 35.
This dramatic shift highlights the Mahayuti’s ability to adapt and refine its strategy. Their success rates speak volumes: the BJP boasts an 85% success rate, Shiv Sena 73%, and NCP 80%.
Empowering Women: Ladki Bahin Yojana
One of the standout factors behind the Mahayuti’s win is its appeal to women voters, largely driven by the Ladki Bahin Yojana. Introduced post-Lok Sabha elections, this scheme provides ₹1,500 per month to 1.85 crore women, covering 40% of Maharashtra’s 4.6 crore women voters.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s promise to increase this amount to ₹2,100 further solidified their support base. Farm activist Vijay Jawandhiya remarked, “Money after all is money — people saw the swiftness with which the money was deposited in the bank accounts.” Women voters played a pivotal role in the BJP-led alliance’s triumph.
Winning Over Farmer
Agrarian distress has always been a significant factor in Maharashtra elections. Acknowledging this, the Mahayuti pledged:
- Procurement of cotton above Minimum Support Price (MSP).
- Soybean procurement under the Price Support Scheme with relaxed moisture content norms.
- A full loan waiver for farmers.
These promises paid dividends, particularly in the Vidarbha region, where the Mahayuti swept the polls. The alliance’s vote share rose by 5.9 percentage points compared to the Lok Sabha elections, demonstrating the success of their targeted outreach.
OBC Vote Consolidation
Understanding the discontent among Maratha voters, the Mahayuti shifted focus to consolidate its Other Backward Classes (OBC) base. Utilizing the BJP’s long-standing MADHAV strategy, the alliance united communities like Mali, Dhangar, and Vanjari.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s slogan “Ek Hain Toh Safe Hain,” emphasized during rallies in Nashik and Dhule, further strengthened this bloc’s support, giving the alliance a significant edge.
Renewed Focus on Maharashtra
During the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP faced criticism for allegedly prioritizing Gujarat over Maharashtra, with projects like the Foxconn-Vedanta semiconductor plant relocating to Gujarat. To counter this narrative, the state government signed an MoU with Klaus Schwab of the World Economic Forum to boost Mumbai’s economy to $300 billion and elevate its global financial status.
Additionally, the Centre granted classical status to the Marathi language, addressing a long-standing demand. These moves resonated deeply with Marathi voters and helped counter opposition attacks.
MVA’s Lackluster Campaign
Despite being a coalition of the Congress, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, and Sharad Pawar-led NCP, the MVA failed to present a unified front. Their campaign lacked a compelling narrative and focused more on criticizing the Mahayuti, with statements like “traitors should be taught a lesson” dominating their messaging.
This lack of strategic direction made it easier for the Mahayuti to capitalize on its promises and achievements, further widening the gap.
The Mahayuti alliance’s sweeping victory in Maharashtra is a testament to its strategic adaptability, targeted voter outreach, and effective messaging. From empowering women and farmers to consolidating OBC votes, the BJP-led coalition has left no stone unturned.
As the MVA grapples with its defeat, the Mahayuti’s win underscores the importance of understanding voter priorities and delivering on promises.
