2024 elections: Each BJP minister to cover 36 districts in 9 months

There are nine ministers each representing BJP and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) apart from Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Thus, the total strength of the ministry is 20.

The party has prepared an elaborate plan to ensure that every household in 355 talukas in the 36 districts is contacted before the next elections.

BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule himself has embarked on a tour to mobilize the cadre at grassroots. The party’s focus is on using its 97,000 booths to maximise its outreach plan. At every booth, there are at least 25 dedicated workers operating round-the-clock.

Senior BJP leader and cabinet minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said, “In every district, we have to attend programmes and address people.” The ministers during their tour will highlight the welfare policies and programmes undertaken by both the state government and the Centre.

Revenue minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, who started his district tour from Nashik, Sambhajinagar said, “We are not in-charge of any districts. We will tour and address programmes in different districts.”

According to Bawankule, “The BJP has planned the outreach programme two months ago. It is a massive exercise to reach out to newer segments. It is part of organisational expansion.”

After the Karnataka results, state leaders have urged its cadre to shed complacency. The message from state top leaders to its office-bearers is to dedicate wholeheartedly in service of party for next one-and-a-half years.

While the 2024 Lok Sabha polls is scheduled in May, the Assembly polls will be in October-November same year.

In the 2019 elections, BJP had won 23 seats out of 48 seats in Lok Sabha polls. Its then alliance partner Shiv Sena (undivided) won 18 seats. However, with changed equations, the BJP along with

Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) as alliance partner has the daunting task to achieve the target of 40 plus seats out of 48 seats.

Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis said, “We have taken charge of Maharashtra just ten months ago. We have fast-tracked all public welfare policies and plans. Our government is committed to good governance. Across sectors from drought mitigation through jalyukta shivar to housing for all, uninterrupted power to farmers along with Rs 6,000 per month annual financial aid we are working to make agriculture sustainable.”

In the 2019 Assembly polls, BJP had won 105 seats (25.75 pc); Shiv Sena 56 seats (16.41 pc); Congress 44 seats (15.87 pc) and NCP 54 seats (16.71 pc). However, in the 2024 Assembly polls, the Shiv Sena, which was led by Uddhav Thackeray, has split into two.

Political strategists in BJP said, “The BJP on its own will strive to enhance its vote base from 25.75 pc to 35 pc. A 10 per cent increase in vote share is essential if it wants to retain its leading position.”

Another factor in 2019 polls was Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, which played the role of vote divider. VBA led by Prakash Ambedkar dented the chances of other parties in at least eight Lok Sabha seats and 44 Assembly seats. Indirectly, five years ago, the division of votes helped BJP-Shiv Sena alliance (undivided).

However, VBA has now joined hands with Shiv Sena (UBT). Whether it becomes a part of larger MVA or not remains to be seen.

Ambedkar said, “We have just formed an alliance with Thackeray Shiv Sena.”