MUMBAI: Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, expressed optimism about the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance’s prospects in the upcoming state assembly elections. Despite acknowledging that the BJP alone cannot achieve a majority, Fadnavis remained confident that the party would emerge as the single largest, bolstered by support from its allies — Shiv Sena under Eknath Shinde and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Ajit Pawar. He stressed the importance of the coalition’s combined strength in securing electoral success.
Fadnavis addressed concerns over internal party issues, particularly the discontent among some BJP leaders who were denied election tickets. He showed understanding for their grievances but emphasized the need for unity within the alliance to achieve victory. The BJP has already announced candidates for 121 of the 288 constituencies, solidifying its electoral strategy.
Reflecting on previous elections, Fadnavis downplayed the impact of what he termed as “vote-jihad” during the Lok Sabha elections, asserting that the dynamics for the assembly polls would differ. He suggested that Mahayuti’s candidates were poised to perform well in the upcoming contest, with the coalition’s strategy focused on securing a broader base of support.
In his conclusion, Fadnavis reiterated that while challenges remain, the BJP’s position as a leading political force, backed by its strategic alliances, gives the Mahayuti alliance a strong chance to emerge victorious in the Maharashtra assembly elections.
