The Mahayuti alliance will retain control of Maharashtra after a landslide victory.
In the Assembly elections, following a disappointing performance in the Lok Sabha polls in the state earlier this year. Latest results show the Mahayuti leading in 227 seats, while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi lags far behind with leads in only 57 constituencies.
At the heart of this remarkable victory is a constellation of leaders whose vision, strategy, and tireless efforts brought the Mahayuti to the cusp of triumph.
PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI
Leading from the front was Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose unassailable popularity and relentless campaigning provided the alliance with a clear edge. PM Modi’s focus on development, welfare schemes, and his ability to connect with voters laid the groundwork for this sweeping success.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, India’s undisputed election strategist, orchestrated the alliance’s campaign with his trademark precision. Shah’s deep understanding of electoral dynamics and his hands-on involvement across Maharashtra ensured that Mahayuti’s message reached every corner.
JP NADDA
His efforts were amplified by BJP President JP Nadda, whose behind-the-scenes coordination and discipline kept the machinery running seamlessly.
DEVENDRA FADNAVIS
Former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis emerged as the face of the alliance’s policies and aspirations, carrying the campaign with his sharp rhetoric and developmental vision. Fadnavis’s ability to galvanise support across urban and rural Maharashtra made him indispensable to the alliance’s resurgence.
EKNATH SHINDE
Equally pivotal was Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who not only won the factional battle against Uddhav Thackeray but also solidified his hold over the Shiv Sena’s traditional voter base.
Both Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde lead from their respective constituencies, Nagpur South West and Kopri-Pachpakhadi.
NITIN GADKARI
In the Vidarbha and Marathwada regions, where the Mahayuti faced significant challenges, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari’s influence proved to be a game-changer. His grassroots outreach and focus on infrastructure development turned the tide in favour of the alliance.
Vidarbha is home to prominent BJP leaders like Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, and Congress state chief Nana Patole. The Mahayuti is ahead in over 40 of the 62 Assembly seats in Vidarbha, which is home to a large chunk of both large- and small-scale farmers.
BHUEPNDRA YADAV
Meanwhile, Bhupendra Yadav, BJP’s in-charge for Maharashtra, worked tirelessly to streamline candidate selection and campaign logistics, ensuring Mahayuti’s dominance in key battlegrounds.
AJIT PAWAR
Ajit Pawar’s role in Baramati was a masterstroke for the alliance. By decisively settling the long-standing family feud with his uncle Sharad Pawar, Ajit not only secured a commanding lead in his constituency but also sealed the debate over the real NCP.
Ajit Pawar walked away with a majority of NCP MLAs in July last year and joined the BJP-Shiv Sena government last year. Ever since, he has been involved in a battle with Sharad Pawar over control of the ‘real’ NCP.
ASHISH SHELAR
In Mumbai, a region notorious for its complex political landscape, Ashish Shelar’s efforts to consolidate the alliance’s urban voter base proved crucial.
He is seeking a third term from the Bandra West constituency and is leading by a margin of over 32,000 votes.
CHANDRASHEKHAR BAWANKULE
Chandrashekhar Bawankule, though facing a tough contest in Kamthi, trailing Congress candidate Suresh Bhoyal, played a vital role in aligning state leadership, presenting a unified front that resonated with voters statewide.