Mumbai, November 10, 2024 – Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed confidence on Sunday that the ruling Mahayuti alliance, which includes the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), will win the Maharashtra Assembly elections with a full majority. Speaking to the media after the BJP launched its manifesto for the November 20 polls, Shah said that the alliance would return to power and continue governing the state.
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CM Decision to Be Made After Election Results
When asked about who would be the next Chief Minister if Mahayuti wins, Shah said the decision will be made after the election results are out. He pointed out that Eknath Shinde is currently the Chief Minister, but the final decision on leadership will be taken by the alliance partners after they win with a clear majority. “After the elections, all three parties will decide together on the CM,” Shah said.
Addressing the Split in Shiv Sena and NCP
Shah also responded to accusations from Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar’s factions, who have blamed the BJP for causing the splits in their parties. Shah explained that these rifts were the result of internal disagreements within the Shiv Sena and NCP, particularly due to Uddhav Thackeray’s decision to prioritize his son Aaditya over Eknath Shinde, and Sharad Pawar’s support for his daughter Supriya Sule over his brother Ajit Pawar.
“The allegations against the BJP are baseless,” Shah said, reiterating that the BJP is opposed to family-based politics and supports democratic leadership.
Shah Defends BJP’s Stand on Reservations
Shah also rejected claims by Congress that the BJP was planning to weaken reservations for backward classes. “It is the Modi government that gave reservations to OBCs and strengthened them,” Shah clarified, stressing that the BJP has always supported affirmative action.
Criticizing Rahul Gandhi’s Blank Constitution Controversy
Shah didn’t hold back when discussing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s recent controversy over a book he was photographed holding, which turned out to have blank pages. Shah mocked Gandhi, saying, “He has become the laughingstock of the country.”
Targeting the Opposition’s Promises
Shah also criticized the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), the opposition alliance, for attacking the Mahayuti government’s Ladki Bahin scheme for women while making similar promises in their own manifesto. “Their promises are contradictory. Instead of targeting our initiatives, Rahul Gandhi should focus on what’s happening in the states run by his party,” Shah added.
Congress Releases Its Manifesto
Meanwhile, the Congress party released its own manifesto for the Maharashtra elections, offering five major promises. These included an annual ₹3 lakh aid for every family under the Mahalakshmi scheme and ₹3,000 per month for women across the state.
Election Dates and Voting
The Maharashtra Assembly elections will take place on November 20, with the vote counting scheduled for November 23. The elections are crucial for the future political direction of the state.
