Campaign ends in Maharashtra, Jharkhand; Results set to shape NDA, INDIA bloc narratives

NEW DELHI: Campaigning came to a halt on Monday for high-stakes assembly polls in Maharashtra and the second phase in Jharkhand on November 20, the two states being more than just electoral battles for BJP and Congress, leaders of their respective alliances, with results poised to shape their political narrative and future trajectory. The match-up follows BJP's stunning come-from-behind victory in Haryana and has increased the stake for Congress and its allies to win the two battles in order to regain the momentum they seemed to have after paring down BJP's Lok Sabha tally.

BJP obviously wants to build on the advantage it grabbed in Haryana.

In Maharashtra, BJP, through its Mahayuti alliance with Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), is aiming to hold on to the state. The state had witnessed significant political realignments, with splits within its major political entities, creating a complex chessboard for parties to manoeuvre.

BJP has highlighted its governance through development projects and economic policies. The 'Ladki Bahin' scheme was a centrepiece, promising financial assistance to women, aiming to capture the support of this significant voter demographic.

Urban areas like Mumbai saw BJP campaign on law enforcement and anti-terrorism, while also subtly promoting its cultural nationalist agenda to consolidate Hindu votes with slogans like 'ek hain to safe hain' and 'batenge to katenge'. BJP has positioned itself as the stable anchor of Mahayuti, promising governance free from the turbulence of internal party disputes.

BJP on Monday launched a new ad campaign attacking the opposition MVA and urging people to 'say no to Congress'. The campaign highlighted various incidents from the past, including the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, and the lynching of sadhus in Palghar when Maha Vikas Aghadi was in office. BJP is contesting 149 seats, Shiv Sena 81 and Ajit Pawar-led NC for the 288-member House.

MVA was well ahead of the Mahayuti in Lok Sabha polls and the alliance is hoping that the momentum is carried forward into these elections.

The polls, moreover, will determine which is the real Shiv Sena and the real NCP, so a lot is at stake for Eknath Shinde, Uddhav Thackeray, Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar. It is because of the decisive nature of this poll that Uddhav has been harping on the 'gaddar' (betrayer) line to draw the sympathy vote, while Pawar Sr has been urging voters not just to defeat his nephew's NCP but to defeat it big.
(With inputs from Mumbai and Ranchi)

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