The Assembly elections in Maharashtra are likely in last week of October and all major political parties including the ruling BJP-Shiv Sena have moved into the preparation mode. Immediately after the ongoing Legislature Session of Maharashtra, the real picture will emerge.
The saffron brigade, BJP-Sena have reached to a compromise formula for sharing 135 seats each for polls. Though the BJP in the larger interest and looking to success in recent Lok Sabha polls has agreed for the seat-sharing formula. In the current Assembly BJP has 122 while Shiv Sena 62 and the results in October will only show which party keeps its flag flying.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis is a chief strategist and quickly agreed for 135 seats with Sena but results may not help Sena gain much as compared to BJP. The BJP is a big brother and over a period of time, fine-tuned its electioneering machinery right from booth level worker to higher poll managers.
Like Lok Sabha, they will not leave any voter untouched and personal approach and background support of RSS will help them. Sena plays sentimental cards and now party chief Uddhav Thackeray has taken up Ram Mandir construction issue as a priority. But the question is how chanting Ram Mandir and going to Ayodhya will help Sena in mobilizing support for party. Ram Mandir issue is basically BJP’s child and they are pursuing it at their level.
They have installed a religious guru Yogi Adityanath as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh to ensure smooth march towards the goal. Till Lok Sabha elections, Sena siding with Ram Mandir issue was justified now they should concentrate on local and regional issues like water scarcity, flooding, agriculture prices and most importantly take up the plight of farmers still committing suicides in a progressive state of Maharashtra.
The employment opportunities to the youth as promised by the ruling partner in General Elections in both 2014 and 2019, should also concern Sena.
But Sena is eying the post of Chief Minister of Maharashtra which seems not easy. Whichever party wins more number of seats will get the coveted post. Fadanvis may continue as Chief Minister if the saffron brigade wins Assembly. He enjoys the blessings and patronage of BJP high command and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Maybe if Sena improves its performance, BJP can offer the post of Deputy Chief Minister to them.
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