BJP's Mahayuti Secures Historic Victory in Maharashtra Assembly Elections; ‘Ladaki Bahin Scheme Prove Key

Mumbai: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Maha Yuti alliance has registered a historic victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, securing 222 out of 288 seats, according to the latest figures released by the Election Commission of India. This resounding win not only cements the BJP’s dominance in the state but also showcases Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s crucial role in driving the alliance to victory.

The BJP, in alliance with Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar’s faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), campaigned aggressively on a platform of development and welfare. Shinde’s flagship Ladki Bahin scheme emerged as a turning point, earning widespread support from women voters, who number approximately 47 million in the state. Inspired by Madhya Pradesh’s Ladki Behena initiative launched by Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the scheme involved direct benefit transfers (DBT) aimed at empowering women and addressing their financial concerns.

Shinde’s strategic implementation of the scheme across Maharashtra not only strengthened the ruling coalition’s base but also dealt a significant blow to Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT). “The results show that governance is about working with people, not managing from home or through social media,” Shinde said, taking a direct dig at his former party leader.

Shinde’s Political Scheme Pays Off

Eknath Shinde’s journey to this electoral triumph began with a high-stakes political gamble in June 2022, when he led a rebellion against Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray. Shinde walked out of the party with 36 MLAs, citing growing discontent within the ranks, and aligned with the BJP. The move led to the collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government and the formation of the Maha Yuti alliance under his leadership.

The revolt was not without risks. Historically, dissenters within the Shiv Sena have faced dire consequences, as evidenced by the death of Shinde’s political mentor Anand Dighe, who was accused of orchestrating the murder of a corporator over cross-voting allegations. Despite the stakes, Shinde’s gamble paid off, making him a central figure in Maharashtra’s political landscape.

Reflecting on the opposition’s repeated predictions of the Maha Yuti government’s collapse, Shinde described the election results as “historic.” He emphasized the alliance’s responsibility to accelerate development, saying, “We have won the hearts of the people, not just their votes.”

Prime Minister Modi Hails Victory

Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the Maha Yuti’s emphatic win, calling it the largest electoral victory in Maharashtra in the past 50 years. Addressing BJP workers in New Delhi, Modi reiterated his slogan “Ek hain toh safe hain” (United, we are safe), which he said had become the nation’s “maha-mantra” for unity and development. “This mandate is a rejection of divisive politics and appeasement. People have chosen development and progress,” Modi stated.

BJP’s Regional Strengthens

The BJP further solidified its hold in Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region, winning 48 of the 62 seats, including key constituencies in Nagpur, home to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis retained his Nagpur South-West seat with a significant margin.

Shinde, too, secured a resounding victory from his Kopri-Pachpakhadi constituency in Thane, winning by over 1.2 lakh votes.

Ajit Pawar’s NCP Outshines Sharad Pawar’s Faction

In a blow to Sharad Pawar’s legacy, Ajit Pawar’s faction of the NCP emerged as a stronger force, winning or leading in 41 of the 59 seats it contested. In contrast, Sharad Pawar’s faction managed only 10 victories out of 86 contested seats. The intra-family feud reached a climax in Baramati, where Ajit Pawar defeated a candidate endorsed by Sharad Pawar, marking a major setback for the senior Pawar.

Opposition Struggles

The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), comprising Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and Sharad Pawar’s NCP faction, suffered a significant defeat, winning just 47 seats. Former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan and Balasaheb Thorat lost seats hisunderlining the MVA’s inability to connect with voters.

The question to the party workers that who will be the opposition leader because none party has a majority number to decide the leader of opposition in the state.

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray’s son, Amit Thackeray, also faced defeat in his electoral debut. Contesting from Mumbai’s Mahim constituency, Amit finished third. Accepting the verdict, the 32-year-old pledged to work harder to win public trust in the future.

Voter Turnout and Key Takeaways

The state recorded a 66% voter turnout, higher than the 61.1% in 2019, signaling increased public participation. The BJP-led Maha Yuti’s victory reflects a decisive mandate for stability and progress, with voters rejecting divisive and vindictive politics.

The election has not only cemented the BJP’s dominance in Maharashtra but also elevated Eknath Shinde as a significant leader in the state. With a strong mandate, the Maha Yuti alliance is poised to retain power and focus on delivering development and welfare programs in the coming years.​