Maharashtra: BJP contemplates early Assembly polls based on results of Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections 2017

The Bharatiya Janata Party is only short of 12 seats for an absolute majority in the Maharashtra Assembly.

Mumbai, March 1: The current situation of uncertainty that prevails in the political equilibrium of Maharashtra might come to an end, soon after March 11. It has emerged that the Bharatiya Janata Party is mulling the possibility of early Assembly elections in the state, based on its performance in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

The strife between the Shiv Sena and the ruling BJP seems to have peaked after the results of the recent  Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections emerged. While the Shiv Sena emerged as the single largest party with 84 seats, the BJP emerged a close second by securing 82 seats in the corporation.

With the requirement for a simple majority for the 227-seat Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation standing at 114 seats, the Shiv Sena will require the alliance of either the BJP or one other Opposition party, despite the support of two independent candidates. Among the Opposition parties, the Congress has secured 31 seats, the NCP 9 seats and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena has secured 7 seats.

While rumours are rife that Shiv Sena could opt for an alliance with the Congress, the latter’s demand remains that the Sena withdraw from the ruling alliance in Maharashtra before March 9, 2017. Further, the opposition parties have proposed the possibility of passing a no-confidence motion in the state Assembly.

As a counter to the proposed move by Shiv Sena, the BJP is itself contemplating early Assembly elections in the state where the party is in alliance with the Shiv Sena. The party is short of 12 seats for an absolute majority in the Assembly. According to a report in the ET, the BJP is waiting for the results of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly election on March 11. The report further states that

The report further states that the move was discussed in detail by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis during his 90-minute meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday. If mid-term polls materialise in Maharashtra, it would indicate an end to the decades-long alliance between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Shiv Sena. Further, the Shiv Sena’s relation with the NDA at te centre could also be hampered.

After the results in municipal corporations such as Pimpri-Chinchwad and Pune, where the party managed to gain power from the NCP, the BJP could receive a further bolster if it wins the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, strengthening its stance against the Shiv Sena. The Sena is, however, considering its options very seriously before deciding on a split with the BJP.