Sharad Pawar Slams Mahayuti, Says Maharashtra Not 'Enthused' By BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP Victory; Fadnavis Hits Back

NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, also known as Chanakya of Maharashtra's politics, recently backed his party leaders and Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) partners. The senior leader said the People of Maharashtra are not enthusiastic with the BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP (Mahayuti) victory in the recently concluded assembly elections. There is no need to lose heart and party workers and leaders should go back to people on the ground.

The opposition leaders will make sure that the people of Maharashtra get the benefit and push the government to fulfill all promises made during the elections. Sharad Pawar said that the financial assistance to women that Mahayuti promised under the Ladki Bahin scheme, from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,100, should be implemented as soon as possible.

He also underlined Maharashtra Election results by comparing the number of votes polled and seats won by political parties.

"It is true that we have been defeated. We should not fret over it, but go back to the people, as no enthusiasm is visible among the people about the election results. There is a lot of resentment," Sharad Pawar told reporters during a press conference.

"Congress polled 80 lakh votes and won 15 seats while Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena bagged 79 lakh votes and emerged victorious on 57 seats," he added.

He further added that Ajit Pawar's party got 58 lakh votes and won 41 seats, compared to NCP (SP)'s 72 lakh votes and it only won 10 seats, how is this possible?

Out of 288 assembly seats, BJP won 134 seats, NCP 41 and Shiv Sena bagged 54 seats bringing the alliance's total to 230.

On the other side, the Opposition's Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance only managed to bag 49 seats including Congress 16, Shiv Sena (UBT)'s 20, and NCP (SP)'s 10. Samajwadi Party clinched 2 seats, while the Communist Party of India (M) won 1 seat.

Hitting back at Sharad Pawar, Maharashtra Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis said Sharad Pawar is a senior leader of the state and he shouldn't mislead the country.

"You will come out of this if you accept defeat. I expect you to give your colleagues advice on introspection," he stated on X.