In a political earthquake that has reshaped Maharashtra's landscape, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition suffered a significant blow, managing only 61 seats in the 288-member assembly. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Mahayuti alliance secured a sweeping majority with all 288 seats claimed, signaling a strong mandate for the saffron front.
Reacting to the results, senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut alleged external influences behind the BJP's victory. In a scathing statement, he claimed, “Mahayuti won with Adani’s help,” hinting at potential corporate involvement in the BJP's campaign strategy. Raut’s remarks have fueled intense debates over the role of financial and media backing in electoral politics.
The Congress, Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction, and the Shiv Sena (UBT) have been left scrambling for answers as their collective tally fell well short of expectations. Observers attribute the Mahayuti's success to a well-coordinated campaign and an aggressive push by BJP's central leadership.
The BJP and its allies, however, dismissed the allegations, crediting the victory to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity and a focus on development and governance in Maharashtra. Analysts suggest the MVA’s inability to counter a united saffron front and their fragmented voter base contributed to the debacle.
The results underscore a seismic shift in the state’s political dynamics, posing a critical challenge to the opposition ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
