The 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections saw a landslide victory for the Mahayuti alliance, which secured an overwhelming 230 seats out of a total of 280, leaving the MVA (Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi) with a mere 46 seats. This victory was especially significant given the strong showing of the BJP (132 seats), Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction – 57 seats), and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction – 41 seats), while the MVA parties, including NCP (Sharad Pawar faction – 10 seats), Congress (16 seats), and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction – 20 seats), struggled to make an impact.
The reasons for this stunning win by the Mahayuti are multi-faceted and can be broken down into several key factors:
1. Election Strategy – Booth Management and Grassroots Mobilization
The BJP has always been known for its exceptional booth management, a strategy that has been honed over the years. The RSS cadres played a crucial role in ensuring that every booth was well-managed, ensuring high voter turnout and effective mobilization. The BJP and its alliance partners leveraged this strong organizational base to reach every corner of Maharashtra, ensuring that their candidates had the best possible chance in each constituency. This careful planning was one of the key reasons behind their overwhelming success.
2. Modi Factor – The Charismatic Leader
Prime Minister Narendra Modi remains a towering figure in Indian politics. His speeches resonate with voters across the country, and in Maharashtra, his popularity was a significant factor in the election outcome. Voters were drawn to his vision of development, which he has consistently showcased through major projects undertaken in the state. His image as a development-oriented leader struck a chord with the electorate, and his influence was seen as a decisive factor in the victory of the Mahayuti.
3. Yogi Adityanath’s “Ek Hai Toh Safe Hai” Campaign
The influence of Yogi Adityanath, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, cannot be underestimated. His slogan “Ek Hai Toh Safe Hai” (One is Safe, So Stick Together) found strong resonance in Maharashtra. Yogi’s speeches and campaign efforts appealed to Hindu voters and nationalists, helping to consolidate support for the NDA. His message of unity and security was widely accepted by the masses, particularly among those who prioritize nationalistic sentiments and security issues.
4. Amit Shah’s Strategic Mastermind
Amit Shah, the Home Minister and BJP’s chief strategist, is widely regarded as the “Chanakya” of modern Indian politics. His meticulous planning and strategy were evident in the Maharashtra campaign, where he personally ensured that the campaign remained focused and cohesive. Shah’s involvement in rallying the masses and guiding seat-sharing arrangements among alliance partners helped maintain a strong unity within the Mahayuti and ensured that all parties worked together smoothly.
5. Unity and Coordination Among Mahayuti Partners
One of the biggest advantages of the Mahayuti alliance was the absence of internal conflicts. The seat-sharing arrangements were smooth, with minimal dissent among the alliance partners. All three major parties—BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde), and NCP (Ajit Pawar)—worked in close coordination, and there were no major disputes over ticket distribution. This unity helped in presenting a cohesive front to the electorate, which proved to be a critical factor in the alliance’s success.
6. Clear and Focused Agenda
The Mahayuti alliance had a clear, focused agenda that resonated with the voters. They concentrated on issues that mattered to the electorate, particularly women’s welfare, with schemes like the Ladki Bahini Yojana designed to appeal to female voters. In addition, the narrative of unity, strongly emphasized by Narendra Modi, provided a sense of collective purpose and identity. The Mahayuti’s message of progress, unity, and security was simple yet effective.
7. Positive and Development-Oriented Campaign
The Mahayuti’s campaign was largely positive and focused on development, contrasting it with the negative and divisive rhetoric often used by the opposition. They highlighted the achievements of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde during his 2.5-year tenure, particularly the Metro expansion and coastal road projects in Mumbai, as examples of progress. On the other hand, the MVA’s campaign, led by leaders like Rahul Gandhi, was centered around accusations that the Constitution was in danger. This narrative was not well received by the voters, who were more interested in issues like governance, development, and security.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Mahayuti‘s landslide victory in Maharashtra in 2024 can be attributed to a combination of factors—effective booth management, the powerful influence of national leaders like Narendra Modi and Yogi Adityanath, a well-coordinated alliance, a clear and focused electoral agenda, and a positive campaign that highlighted development. By presenting themselves as a united force focused on progress, the Mahayuti successfully overcame the challenges posed by the MVA and secured a stunning majority in the state assembly.
