FATE OF TOP STATE LEADERS

The high-octane campaign and mandate for BJP will reset political equations in Maharashtra.

DEVENDRA FADNAVIS

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis emerged as the clear winner in the state’s mini-assembly polls. Under his leadership, BJP successfully consolidated its win in the 2014 assembly polls to expand its footprint across the state. The victory will help Fadnavis bolster his position within the state BJP and come out on top as the undisputed leader of Maharashtra. It will also cement BJP’s top brass’ faith in him as a leader who can be relied on

UDDHAV THACKERAY

For Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, the polls were more significant than previous elections. These were the first BMC elections that Thackeray had to lead his party into under his sole leadership, without Bal Thackeray’s presence. While Thackeray exuded confidence that Sena would win power, he failed to whip up a commensurate amount of votes. Thackeray will now have to show his political skills by negotiating an alliance if he decides to join hands with BJP

AJIT PAWAR

The results of the elections come as a major blow to the two top NCP leaders – Sharad Pawar and his nephew Ajit Pawar. Ajit lost both of his strongholds — Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal corporations — to an aggressive BJP. The NCP also lost power in some district councils which has dented its rural base. Age is not on the side of senior Pawar and Ajit who is considered as his successor has not been able to win elections. He will also have to keep his flock together

ASHOK CHAVAN

When he was appointed as state unit chief of the Congress in the backdrop of the party’s drubbing in LS and assembly elections in 2014, loyalist hoped that Chavan had the acumen to revive the party. However, the results have shown that he has failed to stop its downward slide. This is a serious setback for Chavan. Under his leadership, the party failed to raise issues of public interest effectively.