In Palghar win, BJP shows Shiv Sena who is the boss

The BJP finally managed to win the Palghar seat in Maharashtra. The battle was a closely watched one as alliance partners BJP and Shiv Sena. The BJP however tamed the tiger by winning the constituency by over 30,000 votes.

While the BJP was in the lead right from the start, the Shiv Sena got an initial scare from the BVA party which was in second place for a considerable amount of time.

The BJP ended up with 2,63,683 while in the case of the Shiv Sena it was 2,37,207. The BVA came a close third with 22,28,37. The Congress came a distant fourth with 47,713.

The Sena had a point to prove and sought to become the dominant partner in the alliance. Uddhav Thackeray put in all he could to win the seat as it had become a battle of prestige for him. He even played a tape in which Maharashtra Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis was heard telling party men to do all they could to win the election. Fadnavis however said that the tape was doctored.

While the Sena has on a daily basis criticised the BJP, it is clear that the alliance would not break. This poll was about oneupmanship and the winner gets to bargain harder in 2019.

The BJP-Shiv Sena are in an alliance both at the centre as well as in Maharashtra. The Shiv Sena would have hoped for a win here as it would increase its bargaining capacity ahead of the 2019 elections. The Sena wants a bigger share of seats which the BJP is not willing to give in so easily.