BJP assessing ‘what went wrong’ despite sweeping BMC elections: Report
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has emerged as the single largest party in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, winning a record 89 seats. This is the highest number of seats a party has won alone since 2002, and it is a significant milestone for the party in the country’s financial capital. However, despite this impressive performance, the party is reportedly assessing what went wrong, as it had hoped to win 110 seats.
According to a report in 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 made by the Thackeray cousins, who are leaders of the Shiv Sena and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). The party’s state leadership is reportedly unhappy with the outcome, despite the party’s impressive showing.
The BMC elections were seen as a crucial test for the BJP, which has been trying to expand its footprint in the state of Maharashtra. The party had put in a lot of effort to campaign and reach out to voters, with top leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah addressing rallies and meetings in the city. However, it appears that the party’s strategy and planning may not have been enough to convince voters to give them a clear majority.
One of the key factors that may have contributed to the BJP’s inability to meet its target is the lack of coordination within the Mumbai unit. The party’s Mumbai unit has been plagued by infighting and factionalism, which may have affected the party’s ability to campaign effectively. Additionally, the party’s decision to field a large number of new candidates may have also backfired, as some of these candidates may not have had the necessary experience or support to win their seats.
Another factor that may have contributed to the BJP’s shortfall is the “Mumbai pride” pitch made by the Thackeray cousins. The Shiv Sena and the MNS have long been seen as the champions of Mumbai’s interests, and their appeal to voters on the basis of “Mumbai pride” may have resonated with some voters. The BJP may not have been able to effectively counter this pitch, which may have cost them some seats.
The BJP’s performance in the BMC elections is also significant because it comes at a time when the party is facing challenges in other parts of the country. The party has been facing opposition from various quarters, including the opposition parties and civil society groups, and its performance in the BMC elections was seen as a test of its strength and popularity.
Despite the party’s impressive showing, the fact that it fell short of its target is likely to lead to some soul-searching within the party. The party’s state leadership is reportedly unhappy with the outcome, and there may be some changes in the party’s strategy and planning in the coming days.
In conclusion, the BJP’s performance in the BMC elections is a mixed bag. While the party has emerged as the single largest party and won a record number of seats, it has fallen short of its target. The party’s inability to meet its target may be attributed to a lack of coordination within the Mumbai unit and not effectively countering the “Mumbai pride” pitch made by the Thackeray cousins. The party’s state leadership is reportedly unhappy with the outcome, and there may be some changes in the party’s strategy and planning in the coming days.
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