An in-depth look at the dynamics of voter behavior and the appeal of the BJP in Maharashtra’s recent election results.
In the recent Maharashtra State Assembly elections, the BJP-led alliance, known as Mahayuti, secured a sweeping victory. Out of the 288-seat state legislature, the BJP alone won 132 seats, while its ally, the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, captured 57.
Meanwhile, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) faction led by Ajit Pawar clinched 41 seats. In total, the Mahayuti alliance amassed an overwhelming 235 seats, leaving the opposition, Maha Vikas Aghadi, with a meager 49 seats. This result underlines a significant shift in the political landscape of Maharashtra, marking a decisive mandate for the BJP-led coalition.
For the opposition, the election was a disaster. The Congress, once a major force in Maharashtra politics, managed to win only 16 seats.
Similarly, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP secured just 10 seats, underscoring the extent of the defeat for the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance. The loss highlights the waning influence of traditional opposition parties in the state and their struggle to counter the BJP’s rise.
Following the defeat, the Congress held a press conference, attributing its poor performance to alleged electoral cheating. This accusation, however, seems more like a child complaining about unfair play after losing a game.
The Congress’s reaction appears inconsistent, given that in Jharkhand, where the Congress-JMM alliance won in the state assembly elections held simultaneously, no allegations of cheating were made. It raises the question: if the election in Maharashtra was rigged, why not Jharkhand?
As explained in an interview I gave with Kapil Sibal, since 80% of Indians are Hindus, this gives the BJP a distinct advantage as it claims to represent Hindus. When most Indians go to vote, they do not see the merit of the candidate but only his caste and creed.
Issues like massive poverty, unemployment, skyrocketing prices of food and other essential commodities, appalling levels of child malnutrition, and an almost total lack of healthcare for the masses are forgotten when voting.
Also, the truth is that in India, most Hindus are communal, and so are most Muslims. When a Muslim is lynched, most Hindus are indifferent, and some are even happy—considering it as “one terrorist less!” This is also my personal experience. When I am sitting with my family members, and they are sure no Muslim is around, they often spout venom against Muslims.
I have often said that 90% of Indians are gullible fools, who will follow any fraudster like Modi, like rats following the Pied Piper of Hamelin. When a party goes to the polls, it must have something to offer to the people.
The BJP has Hindutva to offer, while the Congress has nothing. Therefore, it seems that the BJP will keep winning in most elections in India for a long time to come in the future.
Given the BJP’s ability to mobilize voters through its religious and cultural narrative, it is likely that the party will continue to dominate Indian elections for the foreseeable future. Without a significant shift in voter priorities or a credible counter-narrative from opposition parties, the BJP’s winning streak seems poised to endure. 
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Markandey Katju
Justice Markandey Katju is former Judge, Supreme Court of India and former Chairman, Press Council of India.
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