BJP unlikely to compromise its lead role in Lok Sabha, Assembly polls

A senior BJP functionary said, “In the Lok Sabha polls, the BJP will not settle below 25 seats out of 48 seats. In the Assembly, it will contest 152 seats out of 288 seats.” This means the remaining 136 seats will be divided between Shiv Sena and NCP proportionates to their strength.

Being the largest political party, BJP’s claim for more seats has its origins in the 2019 polls. Five years ago, BJP won 23 seats out of 48 in the Lok Sabha polls. Its then undivided alliance partner Shiv Sena won 18. The political managers in BJP said, “Anything less than 25 seats in Lok Sabha is unacceptable to BJP. It may pitch for more, up to 28 seats.”

Currently, the Shinde-led Shiv Sena has the support of 13 MPs. It included one Lok Sabha seat from Daman & Diu.

State BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule said, “The BJP along with Shiv Sena and NCP will contest both Lok Sabha and Assembly elections together. Everything will be done smoothly with mutual consent.”

Last week, while addressing the party meeting, Dy CM Devendra Fadnavis said, “Sometimes, it is necessary to swallow bitter pills. But rest assured, BJP will never compromise its position. The alliances which have taken place (Shiv Sena and NCP) are part of political strategies in larger interests of BJP and India.”

Exhorting party workers to dedicate the next year to an organisation without seeking any power or posts, Fadnavis said, “The BJP-led Narendra Modi government at the Centre with a greater mandate is a must in 2024 polls. It is necessary to accomplish the goals towards taking India to its glorious heights.”

Moreover, Fadnavis also subtly indicated at the meeting that BJP’s concern would be addressed. The party will ensure it does not compromise its place in a three-party coalition. The short-term sacrifice was necessary to attain larger goals, he had emphasised.

In the Assembly, the party-wise tally in the 2019 elections was: BJP 105, Shiv Sena (undivided) 56, Congress 44 and NCP 53.  After the split in Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, 40 MLAs switched to Shinde-led Shiv Sena, while Ajit Pawar elicited the support of more than 35 out of 53 MLAs.

The BJP has directed its workers to consolidate every Assembly and Lok Sabha seat. Its strategy is to maximize the strike rate. This means even if it contests 152 seats in Assembly, it should be able to win 135 to 140 seats. The half-way mark to form the government is 145 out of 288 seats.

Bawankule said, “We have focussed on rebuilding all 288 Assembly seats and 48 Lok Sabha seats. It will help us to enhance our electoral performance as well as help our alliance partners in seats where they are contesting.”