BJP upbeat, Congress divided, Shiv Sena cautious, NCP & MNS hopeful

The breaking up of the 25-year-old alliance of the Shiv Sena and the BJP, as well as that of the 15-year-old alliance of the Congress and the NCP had thrown open the battle of the Assembly elections, with the MNS also joining the fray.

This had led to a fierce contest among all the major political parties, with their leaders taking on each other’s political leadership.

The BJP, after its extraordinary performance in the Lok Sabha elections, was exuberant and enthusiastic throughout the election process, which continues after the voting day.

The party workers have been geared up for a mega celebration, which they say will be sweeter than their success in the Lok Sabha elections. “We were contesting on our own after the Shiv Sena decided to part ways. It was a big challenge and we had a point to prove with all other political parties targeting the BJP. A win in Assembly elections would be the sweetest of all for us in the state,” said a BJP worker.

On the other hand, the Shiv Sena workers are cautious, with the exit polls giving most seats to the BJP.

“The Sena had made all possible efforts in the elections and have faith that voters will not let them down. The election for the Sena was not about merely coming to power but to provide a better life to citizens and ensure a united state,” a Sena worker said, adding that the Shiv Sainiks are confident of a good party performance.
The workers of the MNS, meanwhile, do not seem very confident or enthusiastic about the Assembly election results.

It has been predicted that the party will not perform any better this time than it did in the last Assembly elections.

“We know our standing and are not very excited. However, we feel that the party will play a major role after the results as a result of a fractured mandate, with the two alliances breaking up,” said an MNS activist.

The NCP camp has not given up on the party’s performance as the party workers believe that the party will get numbers that will help it play a decisive role in the formation of the government.

“The party will be in a comfortable position to help the leading parties form a government. The criticism of NCP leaders by other political parties made the party workers work hard to improve the performance,” said NCP leader.

The most disturbed of all is the Congress, with party workers already planning to take on the senior leaders for not participating actively in the campaign.

“The Congress base is the strongest in the state and we were working hard for the party candidates. Unfortunately, the senior party leaders were not active in the Assembly elections and it is going to hit the performance of the party,” said an agitated Congress worker, saying that he will ensure that the party cadre will not keep quiet and will convey these feelings to the party high command.