The Maharashtra mandate is a rare phenomenon and a powerful lesson, prompting political parties, analysts, and commentators to return to the drawing board. This paradigm shift will take time to fully comprehend - and what a shift it has been!
The state delivering a decisive majority to the NDA is stunningly historic. For the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), this marks a significant milestone, achieved through years of hard work to establish itself independently, without relying on the support of regional parties. While the ultimate goal is not yet fully realised, the BJP has taken a major step forward.
Maharashtra's voters, who have experienced coalition governments for over three decades, now seem to have opted for greater stability, while technically remaining in the years of coalition era. With the BJP securing 130 seats, the party has positioned itself as a force less vulnerable to the pulls and pressures of running a coalition.
Much can be written about the factors that contributed to the BJP's success, but the essence is straightforward: the party has been quick to learn from its mistakes and failures, understood the pulse of the people, and executed a bold, high-stakes strategy under the Modi-Shah duo. Their unique brand of social engineering has yielded instant results, garnering both Maratha and non-Maratha votes. Achieving this level of finesse in such a short time offers a masterclass in political strategy - one that calls for admiration and study at the same time.
The BJP has also secured a larger........