Takeaways from Maharashtra poll result trends : Sonia Gandhi a master strategist, Modi magic fading away

With final trends showing a close contest between the BJP-Shiv Sena and the Congress-NCP alliance in Maharashtra, it has become evident that the “others” will play a significant role in the formation of the government.

However, a quick analysis of the trends of election results in Maharashtra shows that the Maratha politics, after a hibernation of five years, is back at the helm. With this result, it will not be easy for the BJP to choose a non-Maratha chief minister.

The trends also show that Congress is on the path of revival in Maharashtra, NCP founder Sharad Pawar is the man of the match and Sonia Gandhi is the master strategist. They indicate that people of Maharashtra have rejected BJP’s effort to polarise the election on issues like the abrogation of Article-370 and Kashmir. Here are some major takeaways from the trends of the results:

Sonia Gandhi is the master strategist:

A quick analysis of the Maharashtra assembly election shows that the UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi is the master strategist. In a situation akin to 2004, she took reins of the party barely a month before the election. But she altered the situation on the ground within no time.

By giving NCP leader, Sharad Pawar an upper hand in the campaign and distributing tickets to the right and winnable candidates, she has forged alliance with the smaller parties along with extending support to MNS chief Raj Thackery; Sonia proved that she is the master strategist. She has the will and the abilities to defeat Modi-Shah duo.

Modi magic is fading away:

Modi magic is fading away is the first and the foremost conclusion that can be drawn from the Maharashtra assembly results. With the sinking economy and an unprecedented rise in unemployment, Modi’s charisma has clearly failed to charm the people, show the results.

PM Modi, instead of fighting the election on the plank of development, has raised the issues of the abrogation of Article-370 and Kashmir during the election. No doubt, BJP will form the government with the help of Shiv Sena again but the kind of thin majority that NDA has secured is a clear indication that Modi is no longer the most popular politician.

Pawar is still powerful:

The trends of the results of the Maharashtra assembly election show that the founder of the NCP, Sharad Pawar is the king of Maratha politics. He still holds more clout and credibility than any other politician in the state. Although BJP-Shiv Sena tried their best to polarise the election, Pawar’s whirlwind tour and the relentless campaign have stopped the BJP’s victory chariot in an election that was considered a cakewalk for the BJP otherwise.

Maratha politics bounces back:

In a state that has traditionally been ruled by Maratha satraps, BJP succeeded in carving out a new formula, combining non-Maratha castes together to clinch power in 2014. Going a step further, by appointing Devendra Fadnavis, a Brahmin as the chief minister, BJP had ended the dominance of the Maratha satraps in the state politics. But, with these assembly elections which were fought under the leadership of Sharad Pawar, we can expect the return of Maratha dominance in the state politics.