Silent heroes who scripted Mahayuti's historic win in Maharashtra

This is so far Sharad Pawar’s worst-ever performance in his political career with a strike rate of just 11.6%.

When the polling ended on November 20, one of the top BJP strategists for Maharashtra polls confided that Mahayuti was going to win around 215 seats, but he was not willing to divulge it to anyone else. Now on the counting day, the result proves that he has correctly read the mood of the people and the BJP cadre working at the ground level. The trends prove that the groundwork by the BJP leadership was near perfection. Not only did they make a dent into MVA's Muslim-Dalit-Maratha combined vote bank, but the entire Maharashtra also seems united behind the BJP-led Mahayuti. BJP has more seats than the entire MVA combined. This is so far Sharad Pawar’s worst-ever performance in his political career with a strike rate of just 11.6%.

Not to mention that BJP contested only 145 seats, their strike rate on basis of leads is 84%, and their allies Shiv Sena 71%, NCP 62%. Analyst may term it as victory for communal issues and slogans like “Bantoge to Katoge” & “ek hain to safe hain” or freebies like “Ladli Bahin Yojana”, the results prove that it was not a single issue that turned the tide in favour of Mahayuti in all parts of Maharashtra. The issues varied from region to region, but some leaders were deputed by the high command in different parts of the state who silently saw to it that cadres remained united and the disgruntled leaders at the local level fell in the party line. Sources said that the number of workers deployed at each booth was increased more than fourfold than the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. They were in regular contact with the leadership.

Amit Shah---lots has already been said about his organisational skills. Lok Sabha poll jolt hit them hard. But It was Amit Shah who set the agenda for the party during the state executive meeting in Pune four months back. He targeted Sharad Pawar on Corruption and equated Uddhav Thackeray with Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. He Deputed leaders in all the regions of Maharashtra to ensure that things remained in control. The confusion among cadres over Ajit Pawar was cleared and things got smoother among the voters. Instead of PM Modi and HM Amit Shah rallies, Eknath Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar rallies were preferred. He did rallies daily, but his focus was more on strengthening the booths.

Bhupendra Yadav---His silent working model is now becoming a benchmark in the BJP organisation. He has been assigned toughest of the tasks and he responds positively. After ensuring success in the Madhya Pradesh polls pulling the BJP out of the jaws of defeat. Immediately after the Maharashtra debacle defeat in the Lok Sabha elections., the BJP high command appointed Union ministers Bhupendra Yadav and Ashwini Vaishnav as state election in charges.

Yadav packed his bags and stationed himself in Mumbai. Accompanied by his co in charge Ashwini Vaishnav, they set a task. He tasks included strengthening all the booths, boosting the morale of disheartened party cadres, ensuring coordination of Sangh and the BJP workers at the ground level.  He also played a great role in pacifying the leaders who were agitated after ticket distribution. Bhupendra Yadav along with Ashwini Vaishnaw also tried to set a narrative other than the one that hurt them in Lok Sabha polls earlier this year.

Yadav’s RSS connection also came into work. Sangh which reportedly kept away in the Lok Sabha polls worked at full strength at the ground level in Maharashtra. RSS involvement was a game changer in Haryana as well. In Maharashtra, Sangh made it clear to the BJP high command that they will ensure victory even in those seats where they have never won or one that was always tough for the BJP. Sources said that Sangh even said that they would ensure victory in over 60 seats. Here also Bhupendra Yadav silently worked his way out.

Ashwini Vaishnav--- The Madhya Pradesh assembly poll was the acid test as for the first time he was appointed election co-in charge. He packed his bags and shifted to Bhopal. Worked tirelessly at the organisational level. Result was historic. As Union Cabinet Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw has proved his calibre, now after the MP victory his commitment to the party, organisational skills and skills as a strategist were proved. Immediately after the Lok Sabha Sabha polls, he along with Bhupendra Yadav was appointed Maharashtra Election co-in-charge.

The task cut out to him was to fill the gaps in the organisation. Strategy of confusing MVA and the voters succeeded with Ajit Pawar taking a different line than his Mahayuti partners. Muslim-Dalit-Maratha combine was broken apart. Ajit Pawar’s stand against Batenge to Katenge softened Minorities towards his NCP (Ajit), Maratha votes also split in his favour. As Union I&B minister, Vaishnaw was aware of the happenings in the state. He ensured that narratives on Onion, and Soybean farmers remained positive by announcing measures in their favour. Workers this time were convinced that it was Sharad Pawar who was the genesis of corruption and not Ajit Pawar who was merely a pawn in the hands of Sharad Pawar. The anger of workers vanished this time.

Looking at the state leadership , the state president Chandra Shekhar Bavankule played a major role in Vidarbha. Vidarbha has always been a Congress stronghold. But Congress ceded more than 20 seats to Shiv Sena Uddhav and NCP Sharad Pawar. They failed to make any impact and the result was most of the seats contested by them were won by BJP. Dalit-Muslim and Kunbi combine was no were seen.

Deputy CM Devendra Fadanvis, who is always in the limelight, was a star campaigner throughout the state, but he was also given specific charge of ensuring victory in Marathwada and Vidarbha. He also came out with flying colours.

Every election has numerous unsung heroes, this time in Maharashtra a low-profile campaign with a focus on local issues ensured that the tide turned in Mahayuti’s favour. The BJP has learnt from its past mistakes for course correction resulting in historic win

Ashwini Vaishnav and Bhupendra Yadav trusted more on the capabilities of local leadership. All the top Mahayuti leaders held rallies that were much more than PM and Amit Shah. Even Surface Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari was involved extensively in the campaign. This had a magical impact on the voters and party cadres.