In Marathwada Uphill Battle, BJP Depends On Eknath Shinde’s Appeal, Manoj Jarange Pull-Out Comforts Congress

Last Updated:November 14, 2024, 09:17 IST

The chief minister’s posters dot Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and the Mahayuti is reminding voters that it changed the name of the city which was associated for decades with Aurangzeb who had ordered the killing of Chhatrapati Sambhaji

The BJP is hoping for a miracle in Marathwada this time, riding on the shoulders of their coalition’s Maratha face and chief minister Eknath Shinde. (News18)

In Lok Sabha elections six months ago, BJP could not win any seat in Marathwada. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) won eight of the nine seats, while Eknath Shinde’s party won Aurangabad.

A year ago, the Shinde government had changed Aurangabad’s name to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar after the elder son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

The BJP is hoping for a miracle in Marathwada this time, riding on the shoulders of their coalition’s Maratha face and chief minister Eknath Shinde.

The CM’s posters dot Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and the Mahayuti is reminding voters that it changed the name of the city which was associated for decades with Aurangzeb who had ordered the killing of Chhatrapati Sambhaji.

With Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Ek Hain Toh Safe Hain’ slogan, the BJP is hoping to get some Marathas on its side now.

However, this is easier said than done. The issue of the undelivered Maratha reservation continues to haunt the BJP, with reservation activist Manoj Jarange painting Devendra Fadnavis as the villain of the piece.

With 46 seats at stake in Marathwada, what has proven to be a shot in the arm for the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in these elections is the decision of Jarange to withdraw his candidates from the electoral race.

“That means Maratha vote won’t be divided at all, and the MVA stands to gain," say Congress supporters of the party candidate from Aurangabad (East) seat, Lahu Hanumant Rao. This is a seat held by the BJP, but the MVA is optimistic of winning it as part of a sweep of Marathwada this time.

“The Marathas want a promise of reservation that is delivered on the ground… not empty promises which were rubbished by the court," a group of Maratha auto-drivers in the town told CNN-News18, referring to the Supreme Court turning down the Fadnavis government’s earlier decision to give 10 per cent reservation to Marathas.

The BJP still maintains it is committed to give Marathas reservation but by not affecting the reservation pie of the OBCs. “There is a strong OBC consolidation in the BJP’s favour as OBCs feel Marathas must not get the reservation," a group of BJP supporters in the town said. The aim clearly is to break the Maratha-Muslim-Dalit coalition of voters in favour of the MVA.

Another factor is Jarange not attacking Shinde in his speeches. Though the BJP is contesting more seats in Marathwada (20) compared to the Shiv Sena at 16, chances of the Mahayuti winning in more of those 16 seats look brighter. The prime minister is also holding a rally in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar on Thursday to shore up the Mahayuti’s chances.

Aurangabad [Aurangabad], India

News elections In Marathwada Uphill Battle, BJP Depends On Eknath Shinde’s Appeal, Manoj Jarange Pull-Out Comforts Congress