NCP chief Sharad Pawar addressed the media on Sunday during his visit to Karad, following the Maharashtra Assembly election results. Pawar attributed the massive victory of the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance to the Ladli Behna Yojana, emphasizing its appeal among women voters. He stated, “The results were not as expected, but it is ultimately the people's decision.”

Election Results and Analysis

The Mahayuti alliance secured an overwhelming 235 seats in the 288-member assembly, leaving the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance with only 54 seats. Within the MVA:

• Congress won 16 seats.
• Shiv Sena (UBT) secured 20 seats.
• NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) managed just 10 seats.

In contrast, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction performed significantly better, winning 39 seats, compared to the 12 seats of Sharad Pawar’s faction.

Pawar reflected on the women's vote being a decisive factor, suggesting that schemes like Ladli Behna Yojana, which directly deposited funds into women’s accounts, resonated strongly. He remarked, “The message that the scheme would end if the government changed worried women, leading them to vote against us.”

No Coordination Issues in MVA

Pawar dismissed suggestions of a lack of coordination within the MVA, stating that all allies—Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP—worked collectively during the campaign. He acknowledged, however, that despite their efforts, the results did not align with their expectations. “We received feedback during the campaign but did not anticipate it wouldn’t translate into votes,” he added.

Challenges for Sharad Pawar

The results have raised questions about Sharad Pawar's leadership within the NCP, especially with the Ajit Pawar faction gaining more seats and increasing its vote share by 7%. This has heightened speculation about potential defections from Pawar's camp to Ajit's faction in the future.

Pawar admitted that the MVA alliance needs to reassess its strategies and reconnect with the public with renewed enthusiasm. He stated, “This is a new experience for us. We will analyze the reasons and return to the people with fresh energy.”

Impact of Polarization

Pawar criticized the use of polarizing rhetoric, particularly remarks by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, which he believes contributed to communal polarization during the elections. He also expressed concern about the unprecedented use of money power in the polls.

Future Plans and Reflections

The veteran leader reiterated his commitment to working for the people and promised to study the reasons behind the defeat. He emphasized that the NCP, along with its allies, would strive to rebuild trust among voters and emerge stronger in the future.

Meeting Scheduled

A meeting of newly elected NCP (Sharad faction) legislators is scheduled for Monday to discuss the future course of action.

This election marked a significant setback for the MVA, highlighting the challenges faced by the opposition in Maharashtra amidst the BJP-led alliance's dominance.