Loyal Voters Went On Holiday: Eknath Shinde On NDA’s Poor Maharashtra Show

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has attributed the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) poor performance in the recent Lok Sabha elections in the state to a surprising phenomenon - loyal voters going on holiday during voting, assuming that the alliance was set to win a landslide victory. Shinde made these remarks at a joint rally of Mahayuti partners in Mumbai, where he was joined by other prominent leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

According to Shinde, the NDA was caught off guard by the Opposition’s successful voter consolidation, which led to the alliance’s dismal performance in the state. Maharashtra, which sends 48 members to Lok Sabha, saw the BJP-led NDA win only 17 seats, while the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) comprising the Congress, NCP, and Shiv Sena bagged 30 constituencies.

Shinde acknowledged that the NDA’s voters were complacent, assuming that the alliance would easily win more than 400 seats in the general elections. He emphasized that if 60% of their voters had turned up at the polling booths, they could have won 40 seats. The Chief Minister also highlighted the need for a more strategic approach in the future, citing the opposition’s diligent efforts to exercise their franchise, with almost 80% turnout.

In a scathing remark against the Congress, Shinde brought up the party’s history of scams, including Bofors, fodder, and coal, and questioned whether there had been any corruption allegations against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Fadnavis, the Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader, echoed Shinde’s sentiments, emphasizing the significant impact of lies spread by the opposition during the campaign on the voters.

Fadnavis also criticized some party leaders who made statements against NDA partners, suggesting that they should seek permission from their leaders before speaking out. The rally was attended by leaders from Shiv Sena, BJP, NCP, and other small constituents.

The NDA’s poor performance in Maharashtra has raised questions about the alliance’s strategy and preparedness for future elections. Shinde’s remarks have sparked a debate about the need for a more effective response to the opposition’s tactics and the importance of voter engagement.

Historical Context:

The Lok Sabha elections mentioned in the article refer to the 2019 Indian general elections, which were held from April 11 to May 19, 2019. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was the ruling coalition at the center, while the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) was a coalition of opposition parties, including the Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and Shiv Sena. The elections saw a significant shift in voter behavior, with many first-time voters and young voters exercising their franchise. The NDA won a majority of seats in the Lok Sabha, but the MVA performed well in Maharashtra, winning 30 out of 48 seats.

Summary in Bullet Points:

• Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde attributed the NDA’s poor performance in the Lok Sabha elections to loyal voters assuming a landslide victory and going on holiday during voting. • Shinde claimed that if 60% of NDA voters had turned up at polling booths, they could have won 40 seats. • The Chief Minister emphasized the need for a more strategic approach in future elections, citing the opposition’s diligent efforts to exercise their franchise. • Shinde criticized the Congress, highlighting its history of scams and questioning whether there had been any corruption allegations against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. • Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis echoed Shinde’s sentiments, emphasizing the impact of lies spread by the opposition during the campaign on voters. • Fadnavis also criticized some party leaders who made statements against NDA partners, suggesting they should seek permission from their leaders before speaking out. • The rally was attended by leaders from Shiv Sena, BJP, NCP, and other small constituents. • The NDA’s poor performance in Maharashtra has raised questions about the alliance’s strategy and preparedness for future elections. • Shinde’s remarks have sparked a debate about the need for a more effective response to the opposition’s tactics and the importance of voter engagement.