The Mahayuti alliance has achieved a stunning victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections of 2024, overcoming significant challenges to claim 235 of the 288 seats. This election marks a dramatic turnaround for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies, who faced discontent just months ago during the Lok Sabha elections where their performance was lackluster. With key campaigning led by top political figures and favorable voter sentiments, the Mahayuti coalition, which includes the BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), and Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), has emerged as the dominant force across the state.
Maharashtra, known as India's financial powerhouse, has been pivotal not just for its economic prowess but also for its political earthquakes. The Mahayuti's resurgence, illustrated by their remarkable capture of over 235 seats, is particularly significant considering their dismal showing where they only managed to secure 45 seats just prior, reflecting widespread voter disenchantment. The response to their campaign, which prominently featured national Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Ek hai toh safe hai' mantra, recaptured the imagination of the electorate.
Devendra Fadnavis, formerly the Chief Minister and revered party leader, is once again at the center of this political evolution, with many within the BJP preferring his return to leadership as the face of Maharashtra's governance. His charisma and popularity among party workers contrasted with Shinde’s incumbency, creating intrigue over who will eventually assume the chief minister's post.
Interestingly, the BJP, which confronted allegations of losing voter base earlier due to rising agricultural dissatisfaction, shifted its narrative. They steadfastly advocated for rural welfare by assuring farmers, particularly from cotton and soybean-producing regions, of higher prices for their produce—a strategy duly rewarded at the ballot boxes.
On the other hand, the Congress party found itself on the receiving end of voter disillusionment. Despite initially winning 13 seats and holding significant sway just months prior, their share of the vote plummeted from 16.9% to approximately 12% during these elections. Party leaders, including Ramesh Chennithala and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, expressed disappointment but promised introspection to realign with voter sentiments moving forward.
While the Congress was grappling with its downfall, the Shiv Sena (under Uddhav Thackeray) and the split NCP factions found themselves scrambling for relevance. Their attempts to counter Mahayuti’s narrative—focusing on unemployment, inflation, and agrarian distress—gained little traction, hampered by infighting and ineffective coordination.
The foundations of the Mahayuti's success lay not only on campaign strategies but also on the pivotal influence of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which reinvigorated party activities at grassroots levels with strategic outreach to the Dalit, Kunbi, and Maratha communities. Their focused approach ensured high voter turnout, particularly among women voters, which saw significant increases compared to previous elections.
This election is especially expressive due to the political and geographical diversity of Maharashtra. The Mahayuti captures the essence of Vidarbha, where it decisively won 47 of the 62 seats, showcasing its foothold even after grappling with dissent over Maratha reservation issues. On the other hand, the MVA alliance’s absence, especially beyond urban hubs, showed the limitations of their influence.
Notably, as counting results became clear, the state witnessed initial signs of celebration from the BJP base. The elation among party workers echoed throughout Maharashtra’s urban constituencies, including Mumbai and Pune, indicating the generalized public sentiment favoring stability and development—a core promise of the BJP's platform.
Taking stock of the events, the Mahayuti's electoral strategy hinged on mobilizing party leaders, utilizing Modi’s extensive appeal, and ensuring party discipline to navigate the late-campaign phase. Full force campaigns from Modi, Amit Shah, and regional leaders inspired voter confidence against the backdrop of perceived efficacy and economic recovery promises post-pandemic.
The shadow of Naxalism was not absent from the voter’s identification of preferences; the BJP’s dedicated initiatives to eliminate such disturbances seemed to have bolstered confidence among voters who view the alliance as the harbinger of change. Such sentiment is particularly potent amid regional tensions and community grievances, with the BJP promising continuity of development.
With two days left for the Shinde-led government’s tenure, observers now eagerly anticipate which leader among Fadnavis or Shinde will command the chief ministerial role. Their internal dynamics and subsequent actions will shape the next chapter of Maharashtra’s political narrative.
This election has turned the political tides and not only reaffirms the BJP's position but also frames how alliances adaptively address public sentiments and issues. Such outcomes will undeniably influence the regional approach toward governance, voter outreach, and party positioning leading up to the following elections.
