Mumbai: PM Modi’s Campaign Blitz for MahaYuti Ahead of Maharashtra Assembly Elections
With the countdown to Maharashtra’s high-stakes assembly elections nearing its final days, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to intensify his electoral campaign for the ruling MahaYuti alliance. With less than a week left before campaigning concludes, Modi is scheduled to address three key public rallies across Maharashtra on Tuesday, aiming to galvanize support for the alliance, which includes the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), and smaller regional allies.
Modi’s Itinerary: Strategic Stops in Key Constituencies
The Prime Minister will start his day in Chimur, located in eastern Vidarbha, at 1 p.m., before moving to Solapur at 4:15 p.m., and concluding his campaign swing in Pune at 6:30 p.m. These constituencies are crucial to the BJP’s strategy to retain its influence and make inroads into opposition strongholds.
In western Maharashtra, which consists of 70 assembly constituencies, the BJP and its MahaYuti allies are looking to minimize any potential damage in what has traditionally been a Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)-Congress stronghold. The region remains a critical battleground, with the BJP looking to deploy Modi’s star power to overcome any organizational challenges at the grassroots level.
Vidarbha: The Heart of the Electoral Contest
Vidarbha, which encompasses 62 constituencies, is shaping up to be a decisive factor in the assembly elections. Out of the 76 direct contests between the Congress and BJP in the state, 36 are concentrated in Vidarbha. The BJP has fielded 47 candidates in this region, underscoring its importance in the party’s broader electoral calculations. A strong performance here could substantially increase the MahaYuti’s chances of forming a stable government.
The region has seen a history of electoral turbulence for the BJP, particularly following the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, where the MahaYuti alliance saw a sharp decline, securing just three out of ten parliamentary seats in the region. The BJP is keen to make up for this loss by focusing on key issues such as agriculture and farmer welfare, which have been central to Modi’s messaging in Vidarbha.
PM Modi’s Attacks on Congress and Push for MahaYuti
Prime Minister Modi has sharpened his rhetoric against the Congress, accusing the party of exploiting the people of Maharashtra for decades. During a rally in Nanded on November 9, Modi condemned Congress for its alleged neglect of farmers, women, and children in the state, particularly in the Marathwada region, which has struggled with agricultural crises for years.
He expressed confidence that the MahaYuti would return to power, asserting, “Only when Maharashtra prospers can India truly develop. For that to happen, we must ensure that every family in Maharashtra flourishes.” Modi also highlighted the positive impact of the MahaYuti’s governance on women’s empowerment, citing the success of initiatives such as the Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana.
“We are committed to making Nari Shakti shine more than ever before,” Modi said, emphasizing that women empowerment has been a cornerstone of the BJP-led government’s policies in Maharashtra.
Confidence in Victory and Criticism of Congress’s Record
Modi expressed confidence that Maharashtra voters would usher in a new era of development with a MahaYuti government. “People in Maharashtra are saying in unison, for a developed Maharashtra, a MahaYuti government is needed,” he remarked, underscoring the sense of momentum in favor of his alliance. He also took aim at the Congress party for its alleged divisive policies, pointing to the controversial Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and its impact on the region’s integration into India. Modi warned voters to remain vigilant of Congress’s tactics, urging them to “stay aware of Congress’s hidden agenda of breaking and destroying the country.”
A Focus on Farmers and Rural Development
Addressing the pressing concerns of farmers, particularly soybean growers in the state, Modi emphasized the Centre’s financial assistance to mitigate agricultural distress. The BJP’s campaign has consistently focused on farmer welfare, rural development, and economic growth as key pillars of its vision for Maharashtra’s future.
As campaigning enters its final stretch, PM Modi’s public meetings and speeches are designed not just to rally the base, but also to present the MahaYuti alliance as the harbinger of progress and stability. His appeal for a “landslide victory” is reflective of the BJP’s strategy to secure a commanding mandate and avoid any coalition uncertainties, ensuring the alliance remains at the helm of Maharashtra’s political landscape.
The Stakes Ahead
As Maharashtra prepares to cast its votes in the coming days, the outcome of the elections remains uncertain. However, with PM Modi’s relentless campaigning, the BJP and its allies are hoping to clinch a win that would solidify their political dominance in the state. With the eyes of the nation on the outcome, the Maharashtra assembly elections are shaping up to be a defining moment in the state’s political future.
