‘Ladki Bahin’ and Her Three Bhaus

The just concluded results of the recently concluded Assembly elections held in Maharashtra sprang forward unprecedented and historic results literally wiping out two major Party’s in the process.

It also sealed the debate on who was the ‘Asli Shiv Sena' and who was the ‘Asli NCP’.

It brought to focus that Eknath Sambhaji Shinde is the man of the masses, a leader who cannot be ignored. His encompassing leadership of bringing together every leader and karyakarta, his ability to stitch relations across party lines and also his unique and successful way of reaching out to the people with his welfare schemes.

It also reaffirmed the fact that Devendra Gangadhar Fadnavis is the undisputed ‘Numero Uno’ of the Maharashtra BJP and one of thier tallest leaders in the country, he has bought back the BJP and carved for them thier biggest win ever in the electrol history of Maharashtra. A leader who knows his worker is at every ward and booth level. A thinking leader and an intellectual.

It also brought into focus Ajit Anantrao Pawar's administrative and political skills, not only emerging out of the shadows of his uncle Sharadrao Pawar but ultimately overshadowing him in the fight for supremacy. A six time Deputy Chief Minister which itself is a record of sorts where not much needs to be added.

This is an election which has changed the fortunes of many a tall leader. An election which will prove to the a 'game changer' and change the course of the future of politics in Maharashtra.

It decimated the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi and its top leaders Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray.

Most top Congress leaders in Maharashtra also lost thier elections by huge margins.

There are several factors which led to this historic win.

The other 'game changer' ‘Mukhyamantri ladki bahin yojana' which enrolled 2.80 cr women and gave them benefits resulting in a 6 per cent increase in voting by women who came out in large nos to vote for thier ladka bhau’s - Eknath bhai, Deva bhau and Ajit dada.

Not to forget the huge mistake the MVA made when they went to court to oppose this scheme much to the chagrin of the sisters of Maharashtra.

The three bhaus were also successful in putting across to the people that they worked 24x7, reached the doors of the people, brought social welfare schemes for all.. be it women, girl child, farmers, youth, poor, senior citizens etc. whereas the MVA in their previous regime was anti-Maratha, anti-poor, anti- women, anti-farmer, anti-development and engaged in ‘Vasuli’ of all kinds during their regime.

The Maratha agitation was well controlled and also reservation of 10 percent each for jobs and employment of Marathas went a long way in placating them.

The government also made a sincere effort of appointing a committee of (retd) Justices and issuing lakhs of Kunbi certificates to Marathas.

‘Ek hai toh safe hai’ a strong message by the Hon Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji for unification , coupled with his pro development image and the financial assistance from the Central Govt to Maharashtra for infra projects and welfare schemes, highlighting good Centre - State relations struck a cord in many an area.

The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the poster boy of hardline Hindutva also gave a strong call for Hindu ‘Ekta‘ to counter the Muslim polarisation of votes attempted by the Owaisi brothers, All India Muslim Personal Law Board, the Ulema Council and 180 Muslim NGOs who tom tom-ed the fact that they were successful in polarising the Muslim votes in Lok Sabha elections in favour of the MVA and would do it again.

This possibly riled the majority community who came out in huge numbers to vote for the BJP- Shiv Sena - NCP alliance.

Several Muslims were also angry with the statement of Maulana Sajjad Nomani who admonished the Muslims who supported the BJP in the last Lok Sabha elections .

He even went to the extent of asking for the social boycott of his own community members and asked to stop their ‘Hookah-Pani‘.

Several angry Muslims did not come out to vote as is evident from the numbers, many Muslims even voted for the Shiv Sena headed by Eknath Shinde in retaliation to his statements.

A good blast of advertising, the right people making the right noises in the Mahayuti whose leaders worked in cohesion, unlike that in the MVA who went hammer and tongs repeatedly even against each other on several occasions !!

Not to forget the efforts of Amit bhai Shah who has transformed BJP into a well-oiled election machine, the other top leaders of the BJP and the alliance, the entire cadre of the BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP who successfully reached the people, the vote transfer implemented within the three party’s and their alliance partners.

A special mention to RSS Chief and the RSS cadre who silently but effectively execute the job entrusted to them perfection as always.

And the people of Maharashtra who chose development and progress over constant bickering.

All in all, a huge Lok Sabha loss fuel led by a false narrative- ‘Samvidhan ko khatra hai’ overturned into huge and historic win !!

The real winners are the ones who choose well - The people of Maharashtra !!

(The author is a spokesperson for Shiv Sena. Views personal.)