EXCLUSIVE - Maharashtra Is The Key For 'Abki Baar 400 Paar': Eknath Shinde

Maharashtra's 48 seats could be a decisive factor in the contest between the NDA and the opposition INDIA bloc. As the state with the second-highest number of Lok Sabha seats after Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra is touted to play a crucial role in this electoral battle.

In the 2014 and 2019 elections, the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance triumphed over the Congress-NCP combine, securing over 40 seats in Maharashtra. This constituted more than 10 percent of the BJP-led NDA's national tally of 336 seats in 2014 and 353 seats in 2019.

In the current election, the alliances are again pitted against each other, but with a significant difference: both the Shiv Sena and the NCP have experienced splits, with the majority of their MLAs defecting to the NDA camp.

What Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde Says

In an exclusive interview with Oneindia, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has predicted that the NDA, under leadership of PM Modi, will secure more than 400 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He said this is not just a slogan but a resolve. Shinde also addressed key issues like Article 370, the Ram Mandir, and the split within Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena faction.

"The goal of crossing 400 seats is not merely a target for the BJP, but a firm resolution," Shinde stated. "Maharashtra supports this because we prioritise development. Significant progress has been made in the state over the past two years, from Atal Setu to the Metro. We are contesting these elections on the issue of development, and Modi ji will undoubtedly become the Prime Minister for the third time."

The Challenge

The Shiv Sena-BJP-NCP alliance aims to win 45 seats in Maharashtra. BJP leaders are optimistic about their prospects, considering the weakened opposition due to the splits in the Sena and NCP. With over 200 out of 288 MLAs and 38 out of 48 MPs on their side, the ruling NDA anticipates an easy victory. However, the reality on the ground may be more challenging.

Key issues affecting the election include caste polarisation following the Maratha agitation quota, the splits in the regional parties, and the sympathy for Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray among certain voter segments.

In addition to national issues, the agrarian crisis, unemployment in rural areas, and communal polarisation will influence the Lok Sabha election results. These factors will also shape the upcoming assembly elections later this year.