BJP assessing ‘what went wrong’ despite sweeping BMC elections: Report
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has emerged as the clear winner in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, securing 89 seats, the highest number of seats a party has won alone since 2002. However, despite this impressive victory, the party is engaging in a introspective exercise to assess what went wrong, as it had set its sights on winning 110 seats. According to a report in the Hindustan Times, BJP leaders are attributing the shortfall to a lack of coordination within the Mumbai unit and the failure to effectively counter the “Mumbai pride” pitch of the Thackeray cousins.
The BMC elections were seen as a crucial test for the BJP, which has been seeking to expand its footprint in the state of Maharashtra. The party had invested heavily in the campaign, with top leaders, including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, actively participating in the electioneering process. The BJP’s campaign focused on issues such as corruption, poor governance, and the need for a change in the city’s administration. The party also sought to cash in on the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has a strong following in the state.
However, despite the BJP’s impressive showing, the party’s leadership is reportedly unhappy with the outcome. The party had set a target of winning 110 seats, which would have given it a clear majority in the 227-member BMC. The fact that the party fell short of this target has prompted a bout of soul-searching, with leaders seeking to identify the reasons behind the shortfall.
According to BJP leaders, one of the main reasons for the party’s failure to meet its target was a lack of coordination within the Mumbai unit. The party’s campaign was marred by infighting and factionalism, which affected the morale of the party workers and hindered the campaign’s effectiveness. The lack of a clear leadership structure and the absence of a cohesive strategy also contributed to the party’s shortcomings.
Another reason cited by BJP leaders is the failure to effectively counter the “Mumbai pride” pitch of the Thackeray cousins, Uddhav and Raj Thackeray. The Thackeray cousins, who lead the Shiv Sena and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) respectively, had sought to tap into the city’s pride and identity, positioning themselves as the champions of Mumbai’s interests. The BJP, on the other hand, was seen as an outsider, with its leaders being perceived as not being genuinely committed to the city’s welfare. The Thackeray cousins’ pitch resonated with a significant section of the electorate, particularly the youth, who were swayed by their emotive appeals.
The BJP’s failure to counter the Thackeray cousins’ pitch was largely due to its inability to project a credible and charismatic leader who could connect with the city’s voters. The party’s campaign was led by a team of leaders, including Fadnavis and Mumbai unit chief Ashish Shelar, but none of them could match the charisma and appeal of the Thackeray cousins. The BJP’s leaders were also seen as being distant from the city’s concerns, with their campaign focusing more on national issues rather than local concerns.
The outcome of the BMC elections has significant implications for the BJP’s strategy in the state. The party will need to regroup and reassess its approach, particularly in terms of its leadership structure and campaign strategy. The party will also need to work on building a more credible and charismatic leadership in the city, one that can connect with the voters and project a clear vision for the city’s development.
In conclusion, the BJP’s victory in the BMC elections is a significant achievement, but it is also a sobering reminder of the challenges that the party faces in the state. The party’s leadership will need to engage in a thorough introspection, identifying the reasons behind its failure to meet its target and working on a strategy to address these shortcomings. The BJP will also need to build a more effective campaign machinery, one that can counter the emotive appeals of its opponents and project a clear and compelling vision for the city’s development.
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