In a strategic move ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, along with top leaders from Maharashtra, finalized the seat-sharing arrangement for the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) alliance. The alliance, comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena, and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), has set an ambitious target of securing over 45 out of the 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra.
During a crucial half-hour-long meeting, consensus was reportedly reached on most of the seats, with the BJP expected to contest on more than 32 seats. The distribution of seats among NCP's Ajit Pawar faction and Shiv Sena's Eknath Shinde faction will be determined based on their perceived winnability, as per insider sources.
Amit Shah, emphasizing the alliance's priorities, highlighted the goal of re-electing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and securing a commanding victory in Maharashtra. The BJP-led NDA alliance has officially set a target of winning more than 45 seats in the state, aiming to surpass their previous success in 2014 and 2019.
Addressing a public rally, Amit Shah reminded the audience of the impressive electoral performance in the previous elections, stating, "The people of Maharashtra gave the Bharatiya Janata Party (and its ally Shiv Sena) more than 41 out of 48 Lok Sabha seats in 2014 and 2019. I want more than 45 Lok Sabha seats this time."
The NDA alliance, consisting of BJP, Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde, and NCP led by Ajit Pawar, faces a challenge from the I.N.D.I. alliance. Home Minister Shah, while challenging the opposing alliance, invited a comparison of their respective tenures in power. "They had their 10 years, and we had our 10 years. If they want, they can compare their 40 years with our 10 years, and our 10 years will outweigh theirs," he declared.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, hailed as a leader of the BJP and a force behind transformative changes in India, is envisioned by the alliance as the driving force to make India a global leader by 2047. As the political landscape unfolds in Maharashtra, the stage is set for a fierce electoral battle, with the BJP-led NDA alliance positioning itself for a resounding victory in the upcoming polls.