Behind BJP's Winning Game In Maharashtra After Big Slide In Lok Sabha Polls

The BJP has managed a successful course correction in Maharashtra, where just a few months ago, it has slid massively in the Lok Sabha polls.

The assembly elections in Maharashtra have shed light yet again on the BJP's resilience and successful strategising after a setback. The party has managed a successful course correction in the state where just a few months ago, it has slid massively in the Lok Sabha polls. From 28 seats in 2019, the party had managed to win only 13 seats this year -- a situation that restricted its numbers in the Lok Sabha and for the first time since 2014, made it dependent on its allies for majority in the lower house. After Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra has the second highest number of MPs -- 48.

What worked for the BJP was a massive course correction that included a delicate balance of welfare measures for women, tribals, and other sections by the state government, more attention to candidates, and grassroots level campaign that they achieved after patching up the rift with ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

The big catalyst here was the 'Ladki Behen' scheme under which the state government made cash transfers of Rs 1,500 per month to women and had promised to increase it to Rs 2,100 if voted to power. The