Between April 19 and May 20, Maharashtra’s 48 seats will go to polls over five phases. The opposition parties have been claiming that such a long schedule is likely to benefit the ruling BJP.
In 2019, the Lok Sabha election was held over four phases and in 2014 over three. The first phase will begin in the Vidarbha region in the upcoming. According to Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, this election schedule was intended to allow the anti-ruling party sentiment among people to dissipate. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge even said the extended schedule implied that Prime Minister Narendra Modi “wants to tour everywhere”.
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Here’s why the long poll schedule in Maharashtra may put BJP at an advantageous position.
Better chances for star campaigners
Polling in Western Maharashtra and North Maharashtra are in the last two phases on May 13 and 20 respectively. The BJP and its allies have not yet been able to reach a consensus on seat-sharing. The poll schedule may give them more time to campaign in critical constituencies and use their star campaigners better.
Precautionary step
The eight seats in Marathwada will go to vote across three phases. The extended poll schedule is being seen as a precautionary step given that this is a battleground of the Shiv Sena and NCP. In Marathwada, the Maratha quota issue and OBC backlash are likely to be key factors in the polls. Banking on Modi factor
The BJP has been open about banking upon the Modi charisma across India and for most seats.
Given the gap between phases, the PM’s rallies can now be more easily planned across regions. Apart from Modi, the BJP will have more time to plan rallies by BJP top leaders such as Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Already, after the poll schedule was announced it was decided that Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis will cover all the 48 constituencies and hold joint rallies with CM Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena) and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar (NCP).
“The 2024 Lok Sabha polls have only one central issue – those who support Modi vs those who do not. We have realised that Modi’s leadership transcends caste, community, and geographical boundaries,” Fadnavis told the media.
The BJP has set an ambitious target for the NDA to win 45 of the state’s 48 Lok Sabha seats.
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