BJP Number One in Maharashtra But Loses Shine

A guessing game is going on in Maharashtra – Will the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) be able to hold the Chief Minister post? This is because the Assembly elections have thrown up surprising results for pollsters and those who thought that BJP will bounce back with a huge margin. 

As election results are still in the process of announcement, the latest numbers show that BJP has somehow able to cross the century mark, (101) Shiv Sena was at 59, Nationalist Congress Party, which was written off by political pundits has emerged as the biggest gainer in this election with 59 seats and Congress bagged 50. Others were leading in almost 50 seats. 

With the results clear enough, the BJP was on the backfoot, with an assertive Shiv Sena demanding the CM’s post for half of the tenure i.e. 2.5 years. Sena’s Rajya Sabha MP, Sanjay Raut, said, "The CM post must be given to Sena for half of the time. It is the right of our party. At the same time, Sena must get half of the ministries in state."

Meanwhile, NCP has declared that they will sit in the opposition as of now. "We respect the mandate given by people of Maharashtra. Our performance has improved in state. This is the beginning of change in the country," said NCP chief Sharad Pawar. He said denied that Shiv Sena had given them any proposal regarding seeking support to form a non-BJP government. "We will sit after Diwali and discuss with our alliance partners regarding all other things," he said.

Congress, too, has done unexpectedly well, It was leading in 50 seats. Pollsters believed Congress would not be able to cross even 20 seats. But the party did well in Vidarbha as well as Marathwada. 

Though Sena's seats have reduced marginally, its bargaining power has increased in manifold. Party leader and Thackeray family scion Aaditya Thackeray won from the safe seat of Worli. 

Almost all turncoats who switched over to BJP from NCP and Congress lost the election. There were almost 40 MLAs of Congress and NCP who had joined BJP- Sena ahead of the elections. Their losses have become another reason for cheer in the Opposition camp.