5 Key Reasons Behind BJP Alliance's Historic Win in Maharashtra Elections 2024

Maharashtra Assembly Election Results 2024:

The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance achieved an extraordinary victory in the Maharashtra assembly elections, surpassing even optimistic exit poll projections. With a strike rate exceeding 90%, the BJP has cemented its dominance in the state. Analysts point to five critical factors driving this success.

The Mahayuti coalition—comprising the BJP, Ajit Pawar's NCP faction, and Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena—dominated the polls, securing leads in 232 out of 288 constituencies. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) opposition, comprising the Congress, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), and Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena, lagged with only 51 seats. Here's an in-depth look at the reasons behind this sweeping victory.

1. The 'Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana': A Welfare Masterstroke

The introduction of the Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana by the Shinde government became a pivotal factor. This welfare scheme provided ₹1,500 monthly to women aged 18 to 60 from families earning less than ₹2.5 lakh annually. Notably, beneficiaries received payments right before Diwali, a strategic move that likely influenced voting behavior.

The Mahayuti alliance promised to increase this amount to ₹2,100 if re-elected, appealing directly to women voters. The impact was evident, as 65.22% of Maharashtra’s 4.7 crore women voters participated, with several constituencies reporting more women voters than men. Moreover, women's turnout saw a 6% increase compared to 2019, underlining the scheme's effectiveness in swaying the electorate.

2. Resonant Campaign Slogans: 'Ek Hai To Safe Hai'

The BJP’s strategic campaign deployed slogans like "Ek Hai To Safe Hai" (Together We Are Safe) and "Batenge To Katenge" (Separate We Lose) to emphasize unity, particularly among Hindus and OBC communities. These slogans countered opposition narratives, including allegations of the BJP undermining reservations and threatening constitutional values.

By turning the focus to Hindu solidarity and social integration, the BJP effectively nullified Congress’s campaign, which had performed well in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections with its "Constitution in Danger" slogan. This ideological pivot consolidated BJP's voter base.

3. RSS Mobilization: A Ground-Level Game Changer

Post its setback in the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP enlisted the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to energize its Maharashtra base. The RSS conducted a statewide mobilization campaign through 60,000 small assemblies and 65 affiliate organizations.

Initiatives like the "Sajag Raho" campaign (Stay Vigilant, Stay Awake) were instrumental in encouraging voter turnout. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and other BJP leaders collaborated closely with the RSS, ensuring disciplined groundwork that turned out BJP voters in large numbers.

4. Eknath Shinde's Leadership: A Bold Gamble That Paid Off

The BJP’s 2022 decision to support Eknath Shinde as Maharashtra’s Chief Minister proved pivotal. Shinde, who led a rebellion within Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena, brought 39 MLAs to the BJP’s side, forming a new Shiv Sena faction under his leadership.

This bold move redefined Maharashtra's political landscape. While Uddhav Thackeray’s faction struggled, winning only 18 seats, Shinde’s faction led in 56 constituencies. The BJP’s gamble on Shinde showcased its adaptability and strengthened its alliance’s overall performance.

5. The Modi Factor: A Consistent Advantage

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s enduring popularity continues to be the BJP's strongest asset. Campaigning in Maharashtra, Modi’s appeal unified the party's core voter base and attracted fence-sitters.

The BJP’s ability to leverage Modi’s charisma was evident in its victory not only in Maharashtra but also in recent elections in Haryana. These results reaffirm the “Brand Modi” factor as a decisive advantage in the BJP’s electoral arsenal.

Historical Context and Comparisons

This landslide builds on the BJP’s upward trajectory in Maharashtra elections. In 2014, the BJP won 122 seats, followed by 105 in alliance with the undivided Shiv Sena in 2019. However, the 2024 results—130+ seats for the BJP alone—mark its strongest-ever performance.

In contrast, the MVA's dismal showing underscores its inability to counter the BJP’s strategic alliances, welfare policies, and campaign messaging.

Conclusion

The Maharashtra elections have reaffirmed the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance's dominance in the state. From strategic welfare schemes to ground-level mobilization, the BJP’s meticulously planned campaign resonated across demographics. Eknath Shinde’s leadership, Modi’s popularity, and the RSS’s organizational prowess coalesced into a formidable force that the opposition struggled to match.

This emphatic win not only cements BJP's control in Maharashtra but also serves as a morale booster ahead of the 2024 general elections.