RSS-linked weekly blames BJP’s poor Maharashtra Lok Sabha show on NCP tie-up

The article in Marathi weekly “Vivek” questions if BJP’s narratives of anti-Emergency struggle and sacrifices during Ram Temple movement would resonate with young voters in October Assembly polls

Maharashtra deputy CMs Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis. (Express file photo by Sankhadeep Banerjee)

Reacting to an article in RSS-affiliated weekly “Vivek”, which blamed the poor performance of Maharashtra BJP in Lok Sabha elections on the alliance with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the Ajit Pawar-led party on Wednesday said that no post-poll data supports this claim and that “process of vote transfer” takes time.

The article in the Sangh-linked Marathi weekly stated that the “workers of the BJP have not liked joining hands with the NCP”, The Indian Express had reported.

“Opinions expressed in any mouthpiece of the RSS do not necessarily reflect the mindset of the BJP or its leaders. Till today, not a single BJP leader who is part of the decision-making process has ever blamed the NCP over the BJP’s losses. Had it been true, the BJP leadership would have never allied with the NCP,” said Umesh Patil, chief spokesperson of the NCP.
Patil added that the alliance between the NCP and the BJP is aimed at the future.

“Data proves that NCP did not harm BJP anywhere in the state. This alliance eyes the future and the coordination will improve. Both parties will benefit from each other as the process of vote transfer does take time,” he added.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde, Governor Ramesh Bais and Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar in Mumbai on Saturday. (Picture by Sankhadeep Banerjee)

The cover story in “Vivek”, titled “Karyakarta khachlela nahi, tar sambhramat” (Worker is not discouraged, but confused), read: “Every (BJP) worker, while narrating the unease and reasons for failure in the Lok Sabha polls (in Maharashtra), starts with the alliance with the NCP. It is clear that the workers of the BJP have not liked joining hands with the NCP. Even the BJP leaders know this.”

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The Marathi weekly had also blamed the lack of communication between the party, its workers and the NDA government in the state for BJP’s poll setback.

Meanwhile, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar commented on the developments, saying that those aligned with the ideology of “Vivek” seem uncomfortable with the alliance with Ajit Pawar’s NCP.

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“I had earlier read a similar story in ‘Organiser’ (RSS mouthpiece). Now, it is important to check which ideology runs both ‘Vivek’ and ‘Organiser’. It is very clear that the people of this ideology are uncomfortable over these developments,” he said at a press conference in Pune.

Alok Deshpande

Alok Deshpande is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express' Mumbai bureau, recognized for his focused and authoritative reporting on governance, politics, and the socio-economic dynamics of Maharashtra's hinterlands. His unique academic background in Geology and early work in the water sector provides a specialized layer of Expertise to his reporting on resource and environmental issues. Expertise Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express, Mumbai. Core Authority: Alok provides detailed coverage of Maharashtra politics and governance, with a particular emphasis on how policies and power struggles affect the rural and semi-urban areas (the 'hinterlands'). Key Coverage Areas: His reports frequently focus on high-stakes administrative and political topics, including: State Assembly Proceedings: In-depth reporting on the Legislative Assembly, covering ministerial statements, legislative debates, and inter-party conflict within the ruling Mahayuti alliance. Policy & Finance: Coverage of state finances, including supplementary budget demands, fiscal deficits, and major government schemes (e.g., Jal Jeevan Mission, Ladki Bahin Yojana). Rural and Social Issues: Reports on critical health issues (e.g., child deaths in districts), human-animal conflict (leopard attacks, stray dogs), and agrarian concerns (e.g., farmer suicides). Local and Urban Governance: Covers major announcements regarding urban development (e.g., BMC's OC amnesty scheme, pagdi system push) and local body elections, including political defections and alliance splits. Unique Credentials & Trustworthiness Academic Specialization: Holds a Post-graduate degree in Geology. This background gives him a foundational understanding of natural resources, which directly informs his reporting on environment, water, and infrastructure projects. Early Professional Experience: His shift to journalism came after working with an NGO focused on the water sector. This practical experience strengthens his Expertise in critical areas like water management and rural development, as evidenced by his reporting on the Jal Jeevan Mission. Journalism Training: An alumnus of the prestigious Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai, confirming his formal training and commitment to rigorous journalistic standards. Alok Deshpande's rare combination of scientific education, non-profit sector experience, and deep political reporting makes him a highly trusted and authoritative voice on the governance and ground realities of Maharashtra. He tweets @alokdesh ... Read More