Assembly polls impact: MVA anticipates an aggressive BJP in Maharashtra

MVA leaders admit that buoyed by its success in the assembly elections in UP, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa, the BJP may try to tap into disgruntled elements in the NCP, Congress and Shiv Sena in Maharashtra.

MUMBAI: The Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) success in the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur may lead to the party trying to corner the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) regime in Maharashtra, according to leaders in the ruling alliance.

The BJP is set for victory in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand and is ahead in Manipur and Goa as votes are being counted for elections to 5 states on Thursday. (File)

As votes are being counted for elections to 5 states on Thursday, the BJP is set for victory in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand and is ahead in Manipur and Goa.

The BJP’s sweep in Uttar Pradesh has indicated that the North Indian voter is firmly with the party and these straws in the wind show that the Hindi-speakers, who have substantial numbers in Mumbai, Thane and neighbouring areas, may choose to support the BJP in the civic polls due this year.

MVA leaders admit that buoyed by its success, the BJP may try to tap into disgruntled elements in the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the Congress and the Shiv Sena, or try to precipitate a situation wherein even President’s rule may be imposed in the state, followed by mid-term elections.

“The BJP may make a serious effort to destabilise or corner the MVA government. They may try to wean away disgruntled elements from the Shiv Sena and the NCP. These parties are gradually being weakened from the inside. However, whether they will make any headway is doubtful as the MVA has the numbers. The BJP may also look at imposing President’s rule and return to power after calling fresh elections,” said a senior Congress leader.

“The results are not very surprising, except in Goa, where the Congress was expected to return to power,” said a Shiv Sena leader. Mumbai has a sizeable chunk of voters, both Hindus and Catholics, from Goa and also from areas bordering Goa like Sindhudurg and Kolhapur. “The present players in the opposition cannot stand up to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. There is a general lack of strategy,” the leader explained. The Shiv Sena leader said that the substantial non-Maharashtrian voters in Mumbai and other areas were likely to stand by the BJP in the civic polls, while the Shiv Sena could see a challenge in keeping its core and auxiliary vote base intact considering the inroads made by the BJP in upper class and upper caste Marathi speakers.

The Shiv Sena has controlled the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for 5 unbroken terms since 1997. The richest civic body in Asia is crucial for the party’s control over Mumbai.

BJP spokesperson Prem Shukla said that the BJP-ruled states have returned the party to power. “Even in Maharashtra, the mandate was in favour of Devendra Fadnavis... So, in the forthcoming elections in Maharashtra, the BJP will surely win,” he added.

However, NCP spokesperson Clyde Crasto said the results will not affect the fate of the Maharashtra government. “These results don’t matter. The government is doing well,” he added. “The BJP is just adept at marketing and event management... The results will not have any impact on the MVA government,” said Shiv Sena legislator and spokesperson Manisha Kayande.