BJP-Led Mahayuti Won’t Cross 100-Seat Mark In Maharashtra Polls: NCP (SP)

The NCP has voiced concerns about the Mahayuti alliance's declining support in Maharashtra. As elections approach, the coalition faces challenges from voter dissatisfaction and internal rifts, raising questions about its ability to secure a majority.

The Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) has said that there is growing dissatisfaction within the ruling Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra and predicted the alliance will struggle to secure more than 100 seats in the upcoming state assembly elections.

The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), consisting of Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP), and Congress, is determined to unseat them, NCP (SP) spokesperson Mahesh Tapase highlighted voter discontent with the BJP's central leadership as a significant factor in the alliance's waning support.

The elections for Maharashtra's 288-member legislative assembly are anticipated to occur in mid-November. The Mahayuti coalition, which includes Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, BJP, and Ajit Pawar's NCP, aims to maintain its hold on power.

Tapase remarked that every visit by BJP central leaders to Maharashtra further diminishes the Mahayuti's support base. He specifically mentioned Union Home Minister Amit Shah's recent visit to Nagpur. During this visit, Shah urged BJP workers to increase the party's vote share by at least 10% to ensure victory for the Mahayuti alliance in the upcoming polls.

Challenges Facing the Ruling Coalition

In response to Shah's appeal, Tapase expressed confidence that instead of increasing, the Mahayuti's vote share would decrease by 20%. He argued that voters are increasingly disillusioned with what he described as the BJP's "power-hungry" tactics. According to him, people in Maharashtra desire accountability, development, and jobs—areas where he believes the Mahayuti has fallen short.

Tapase also pointed out a widening rift between the BJP and its allies in Maharashtra. He criticized efforts to lure MLAs from parties led by Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar into forming what he termed an "unconstitutional alliance." This move, he claimed, has not been well-received by the public.

"The BJP has relied heavily on its central leaders to boost its electoral performance in Maharashtra," Tapase stated. However, he noted that people are no longer interested in such strategies. Instead, they seek tangible results and improvements in their daily lives.