BJP assessing ‘what went wrong’ despite sweeping BMC elections: Report
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has made history in the recently concluded Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, winning a record 89 seats, the highest number of seats a party has won alone since 2002. However, despite this impressive victory, the party is reportedly assessing what went wrong, as it had hoped to win 110 seats. According to a report by the Hindustan Times, BJP leaders believe that the reasons for not meeting their target could be attributed to a lack of coordination within the Mumbai unit and not effectively countering the “Mumbai pride” pitch of the Thackeray cousins.
The BMC elections, which took place on February 21, saw the BJP emerging as the single largest party, with the Shiv Sena winning 84 seats. The BJP’s victory is being seen as a significant milestone, as it has never won so many seats in the BMC elections before. The party’s campaign, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Mumbai unit chief Ashish Shelar, had focused on issues such as corruption, transparency, and development.
However, despite the impressive win, the BJP’s state leadership is reportedly unhappy with the outcome, as the party had set a target of winning 110 seats. The party had been confident of achieving this target, given its performance in the 2014 Maharashtra assembly elections, where it won 122 seats. The BJP’s assessment of what went wrong is likely to be a thorough one, with party leaders examining every aspect of the campaign, from strategy to execution.
One of the key reasons being cited for the BJP’s failure to meet its target is a lack of coordination within the Mumbai unit. The party’s Mumbai unit has been plagued by infighting and factionalism, with different groups vying for power and influence. This lack of coordination is believed to have affected the party’s campaign, with some candidates not receiving adequate support and resources.
Another reason being cited is the BJP’s failure to effectively counter the “Mumbai pride” pitch of the Thackeray cousins, Aaditya and Uddhav. The Shiv Sena, led by Uddhav Thackeray, had campaigned on a platform of “Mumbai pride,” emphasizing the need to protect the city’s interests and promote its development. The BJP, on the other hand, had focused more on national issues, such as corruption and terrorism. The party’s failure to counter the Shiv Sena’s “Mumbai pride” pitch is believed to have cost it dearly, particularly in areas where the Shiv Sena has traditionally been strong.
The BJP’s assessment of what went wrong is also likely to examine the role of other parties, such as the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The Congress, which had been expected to perform poorly, managed to win 31 seats, while the NCP won 9 seats. The performance of these parties is believed to have affected the BJP’s tally, particularly in areas where the Congress and NCP have a strong presence.
The BJP’s victory in the BMC elections is significant, as it marks a major milestone in the party’s journey in Maharashtra. The party has been working to expand its base in the state, and the BMC elections were seen as a crucial test of its strength. The party’s win is also likely to have implications for the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections, which are scheduled to take place in 2024.
In conclusion, the BJP’s victory in the BMC elections is a significant achievement, but the party’s failure to meet its target of 110 seats is a cause for concern. The party’s assessment of what went wrong is likely to be a thorough one, examining every aspect of the campaign, from strategy to execution. The reasons for the party’s failure to meet its target, including a lack of coordination within the Mumbai unit and not effectively countering the “Mumbai pride” pitch of the Thackeray cousins, are likely to be addressed in the coming months.
As the BJP looks to build on its victory in the BMC elections, it will need to learn from its mistakes and work to improve its performance in the future. The party’s state leadership will need to work to resolve the infighting and factionalism within the Mumbai unit, and develop a more effective strategy for countering the opposition. With the Maharashtra assembly elections scheduled to take place in 2024, the BJP will need to be at the top of its game if it is to emerge victorious.
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