Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde (file photo)
The political landscape of Maharashtra has changed a lot in five years and this time the form of alliance has also changed. This time the BJP is contesting the elections in alliance with Shinde’s Shiv Sena and many smaller parties, including Ajit Pawar’s NCP. In such a situation, of the 288 seats in the state, the BJP is contesting on 148 seats, while in 2019 it had fielded candidates for 163 seats. In this context, it is evident that the BJP is contesting for 15 fewer seats compared to the last elections, but through the back door, the BJP has played a double game due to which it is contesting for more seats than the last time.
With the deadline for filing nominations for the Maharashtra Assembly elections now over, the BJP-led NDA alliance’s seat-sharing formula with parties has become clear as to who is contesting for how many seats. The BJP is contesting on 148 seats, its ally Shinde’s Shiv Sena is trying its luck in 85 seats and Ajit Pawar’s NCP is trying its luck in 51 seats. In addition, four seats have been given to smaller allies of the alliance, which the BJP has awarded from its own quota.
The BJP played a double political game in the elections
In the 2019 assembly elections, the BJP contested the elections in alliance with the Shiv Sena. The BJP had fielded its candidates for 164 seats and the Shiv Sena had contested for 124 seats. This time the BJP has fielded candidates only for 148 seats. Thus, it is clear that the BJP is contesting 15 fewer seats than in the last elections, but has fielded 16 of its leaders from Shinde’s Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar’s NCP. In this way, the BJP has fielded 16 of its leaders in the elections through the back door. In this way, the BJP tries its luck with 164 seats in 2024.
BJP is following a new trend. The BJP has also maintained respect by giving seats to its allies and is fielding its leaders in those seats of its allies. In this way, on the one hand, the BJP manages its allies by giving them seats according to their wishes and, on the other, it maintains a balance with its leaders by making them participate in elections on its symbols. In this way, the BJP has drawn up a plan to win the electoral battle in Maharashtra by playing a double game. In this series, 16 of its leaders have participated in the elections using the symbol of their allied party, of which 14 leaders have come from Shinde’s Shiv Sena and 4 leaders have been fielded from Ajit Pawar’s NCP.
BJP leaders contest elections on Shinde’s ticket
In the Konkan region of Maharashtra, former MP Nilesh Rane, son of veteran BJP leader Kendriya Narayan Rane, is contesting from Shinde’s Shiv Sena seat of Kudal-Malvan. This seat had gone to Shinde’s quota, so Nilesh joined Shiv Sena. Similarly, Sanjana Jadhav, daughter of BJP leader and former Union minister Raosaheb Danve, joined the Shiv Sena and contested the Kannada Assembly seat that belonged to Shinde. With the Palghar assembly seat held by Shinde, BJP leader Rajendra Gavit joined the Shiv Sena and contested the elections. Shinde has canceled the entry of his sitting MLA for Gavit.
Boisar Assembly seat is included in Shinde quota, so BJP leader Vilas Tare joined Shiv Sena and contested the elections. The Bhiwandi East seat also went to Shinde’s Shiv Sena, so Santosh Shetty of the BJP joined hands with the Shiv Sena and entered the electoral fray. The Andheri East seat has gone to Shinde, so veteran BJP leader Murji Patel has jumped into the elections by joining the Shiv Sena. Amol Khatal, who joined Shiv Sena from the BJP, is contesting from the Sangamner seat.
BJP national spokesperson and veteran leader Shaina NC wanted to contest from Bombadevi, but the seat went to Shinde’s Shiv Sena. In such a situation, Shaina has joined hands with Shinde’s Shiv Sena and has matched Mumbadevi. BJP leader Digvijay Bagal is also contesting on the Shiv Sena ticket from the Karmala assembly seat. BJP leader Baliram Shiraskar is also contesting from Balapur assembly seat on Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena ticket.
BJP leaders attacked NCP symbols
In Maharashtra, four BJP leaders have contested the elections on Ajit Pawar’s NCP ticket. The Arjuni Morgaon assembly seat has come under Ajit Pawar’s NCP. Rajkumar Badole, two-time BJP MP from this seat, has joined the NCP to contest the elections. Thus, veteran BJP leaders Pratap Patil Chikhlikar, Nishikant Patil and Sanjay Kaka Patil have also been part of Ajit Pawar’s NCP. These four seats are in the NCP’s account, so the BJP has sent its leaders from Ajit Pawar’s party.
