Will BJP be able to repeat 2014 Maha success in 2019?

Sena going solo. Fadnavis’ aides say he is confident of retaining majority of Lok Sabha seats. The BJP’S victory at the Centre would itself have a major impact on state elections and retaining power would not be difficult, his aides said. Of course, he will have to handle the issue of alliance with Shiv Sena skilfully.

THACKERAY AND THE ART OF CRITICISM

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has been keeping everyone guessing. He shares power with the BJP, both at the Centre and in the state, but is also its harshest critic. Sensing the elections could not be an uphill task, the BJP has already offered him an olive branch. Will he form an electoral alliance with the BJP after slamming it repeatedly for the past four years? The Sena top brass is divided over the issue. The BJP leaders are amused with the hardline Thackeray has taken over the issue of Ram temple. It is something that could become the common ground for both the parties for a pre-poll tie-up. It will also help the Sena leaders to convince its voters why they want to align with the BJP, they feel. The question is: Does Uddhav Thackeray want an alliance with BJP? So far, he has kept cards close to his chest.

OPPOSITION UNITY, BUT…

For the record, both the Congress and Sharad Pawar-led NCP have announced their intention to contest the Lok Sabha elections together. The two parties have also started preliminary talks over seat sharing. However, things are not all hunkydory. A few senior Congress leaders in Maharashtra are still suspicious of Pawar’s plans, especially after the NCP announced its decision to contest 200 seats in Madhya Pradesh. NCP leaders too are insisting their alliance is limited to Lok Sabha elections and the party will take a call for Assembly polls later.

On ground, the cadre of both the parties don’t want to spend another five years without power. But it all depends on their leaders. If the NDA returns to power at the Centre, things could change in Maharashtra.