The BJP-led NDA achieved a historic victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, securing 230 of 288 seats, marking an unprecedented four-fifths majority. The BJP alone won 132 seats, its best-ever performance in the state, while Shiv Sena secured 57 seats and the NCP faction led by Ajit Pawar clinched 41. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the win, emphasizing “development and good governance.”
The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) suffered a crushing defeat, with Congress managing just 16 of the 101 seats it contested, its worst-ever show in the state. Sharad Pawar’s NCP won only 10 of 86 seats, while the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) scored 20 out of 95. Smaller allies like the Samajwadi Party and CPM won two and one seat, respectively.
The NDA’s success highlighted the BJP’s dominance, gains across all regions of Maharashtra, and consolidation of diverse voter bases, including Marathas, OBCs, Dalits, and tribals. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar emerged victorious in their leadership roles, while Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray faced significant setbacks. The BJP’s “Ek hain to safe hain” narrative resonated, achieving an 87% strike rate, the highest among all parties.
In Jharkhand, Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s JMM-led alliance secured a second consecutive term, winning 56 of 81 seats. The JMM alone bagged 34, Congress 16, RJD 4, and CPIML 2, consolidating Soren’s position as a prominent tribal leader. The BJP emerged as the second-largest party with 21 seats, while its allies All Jharkhand Students Union and LJP secured one seat each, weakening the NDA’s position.
While the BJP gained national momentum, its strong Maharashtra performance stood out. Recent byelections saw the BJP win six of nine Assembly seats, including six in Uttar Pradesh, reversing earlier losses in the Lok Sabha elections. This resurgence underscores the BJP’s ability to consolidate power across diverse electoral landscapes.
