Mumbai: In the recent Lok Sabha elections, the BJP faced significant setbacks in Maharashtra, winning only nine out of the 28 seats it contested, a drastic drop from 23 seats in 2019. Despite this decline, the BJP managed to maintain a commanding 26.2% vote share, placing it well ahead of the Congress, which garnered 16.9% of the votes and won 13 seats—an impressive recovery from its previous tally of just one seat.
The BJP’s performance can be attributed to losses in specific Assembly segments within the contested Lok Sabha seats. Party leaders explained that while they secured a good percentage of the overall votes, losses in critical segments significantly impacted their seat count. For instance, in the Dhule Lok Sabha constituency, BJP candidate Subhas Bhamre performed well across most Assembly segments, but a dismal showing in the Malegaon Central segment cost him the seat. Here, he managed only 4,542 votes against Congress candidate Shobha Bachhav, who received nearly 198,000 votes, illustrating how crucial local dynamics can influence broader electoral outcomes.
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The BJP’s coalition partners also faced challenges. The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena secured seven out of 15 contested seats with a 13% vote share, while the Ajit Pawar-led NCP only won one of four seats, securing a mere 3.6% of the votes. This performance raises questions about the durability of the Mahayuti alliance as the BJP prepares for the upcoming Assembly elections.
In response to the election results, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis accepted full responsibility, stating, “The entire responsibility for this is mine… I will prepare a new strategy.” He acknowledged that the party needs to reassess its approach and reconnect with voters to regain lost ground.
The Congress’s resurgence reflects changing political tides in Maharashtra, suggesting that the opposition’s consolidation under the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance may pose a significant challenge for the BJP in future elections. As both the BJP and the Congress strategize for the upcoming Assembly polls, the dynamics in Maharashtra’s political landscape are set to shift, with voter sentiments potentially favoring new narratives and leadership.
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