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From political rallies to television debates to drawing room conversations, the Maharashtra state Assembly elections seems to be dead rubber. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has made Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, who died in 1966, an election issue in 2019 and a lot of the media as well as the opposition seem to have fallen for the trap. However, there are enough issues which the opposition could have capitalised on the voter dissatisfaction. But as the campaign comes to a close, the dispirited opposition failed to offer even an alternate narrative, and has showed much less gusto in providing leadership against the Devendra Fadnavis-led BJP government in the state. As the leaders dwell on the glories of the past, the state’s population, which is reeling between drought and deluge, is worried about their future. These are some of the issues in which the people of Maharashtra have suffered under the current establishment. Auto sector slowdown hits Chakan in Pune Maharashtra has been one of the worst victims of <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/slowdown-plunges-august-auto-sales-to-lowest-since-1997-98/articleshow/71055961.cms">economic slowdown</a>. In Pune, hundreds of thousands have lost jobs in the auto sales drop resulted in slashing <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/indian-auto-manufacturers-have-laid-off-350000-jobs-in-four-months/articleshow/70563890.cms">millions of jobs </a>of both temporary and permanent workers. Auto sector employees who are amongst the most well compensated of blue collar workers, are now roaming around in the auto hub of Chakan in Pune—doing<a href="https://theprint.in/economy/in-pune-auto-hub-an-engineer-is-selling-paan-another-is-roaming-around-with-his-cv/290816/"> menial jobs</a>. Former Congress party president Rahul Gandhi was one of the few to point out to the issue. He commented that Modi is showing youth the moon taking a dig at Chandrayaan 2 mission, even as the auto sector “remained shattered”. BJP, in its manifesto, however promised one crore jobs to people, but lacks details on how they plan to reverse the situation, which only seems to be worsening. Burdened with loans and low support prices-farmers resort to suicides Farmers are in no better position either. In the last five years, around 16,000 farmers have committed suicides said <a href="https://www.timesnownews.com/india/maharashtra-news/elections/article/people-suffered-worst-16000-farmers-committed-suicide-over-the-past-five-years-under-sena-bjp-sharad-pawar/504721">Sharad Pawar</a>, the leader Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) at his election rally in Anushakti Nagar. The septuagenarian criticized the government for not waiving loans of farmers who are hit by drought, even as thousands of crores to corporates are being written off as non-performing assets. The state government did waive off loans but it covered only 30% of the affected. These last five years have been tough for farmers in the state as they claim to be hurt by its policies which did not increase the minimum support prices. Around 15,000 farmers marched from Nasik to Mumbai not once but twice in the last five years—asking the government for aid. In fact, in a shocking protest in 2017, the state’s farmers emptied milk onto the streets leaving the government red faced. The state has a new crime capital in Nagpur The state also has another problem that is ballooning—increasing crime in Nagpur. The constituency of the ruling chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has turned notorious for organized and unorganized crime. On an average, over 700 cases are registered in the city which shares a border with Madhya Pradesh. Apart from increased organized crime and racketeering, the city has also<a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/cops-got-cracking-to-remove-nagpurs-crime-capital-tag/articleshow/71283462.cms"> turned infamous</a> for prostitution, murder and attempted murder cases, amongst others. Fadnavis has been trying to turn around the extensive crime using stringent laws against anti-social elements. This started in 2015, but there has only been a slight change in the number of crimes. Mumbai’s creaky infrastructure Mumbai and its suburbs too have been many burning problems for which India the opposition provided only lip service to. The repeated lack of preparation leading to loss of lives during flood, which is a predictable annual occurrence in the city, has been a major source of discontent. The city’s commute has worsened in the last few years as metro and other construction have weighed only the already-snaking traffic. Even if one were to look at it as a temporary pain towards a better, it does not help that even the roads are filled with potholes. The Aarey Colony mess As the state approved the chopping of over 2,000 trees for the construction of a metro car shed at Aarey colony, a large citizen protest ensued but never turned into the poll issue it could have been. The protesting citizens were defeated in a court case and it sure left a bad aftertaste for those who detested the chopping of trees amidst a rising awareness around the terrible impact on the environment it would have. The protests were also diluted by a large number of people who came in support of the metro car shed as it would make commuting easier for millions of Mumbaikars. The opposition parties were conspicuous in their absence on ground over the issue and thus, it never took a political dimension. The dynasty debut The issues which find a pulse with young voters could have been handled by a young politician <a href="https://scroll.in/article/940621/behind-the-aditya-thackeray-campaign-in-mumbai-is-the-quiet-work-done-by-another-shiv-sainik">like Aditya Thackeray </a>from the state’s most-popular political family. But, seven years after the demise of the charismatic Bala Saheb Thackeray, his successors, including Aditya’s father Uddhav, have lacked Bala Saheb’s gravitas. Instead, Aditya got ridiculed for sporting a lungi, a South Indian attire, as his detractors cited his grandfather’s attacks on South Indian migrants a few decades. He was also caught on the wrong foot endorsing the <a href="https://rajkaran.com/aadtiya-thackeray-gets-trolled-for-his-mumbai-best-aahe-tweet/">BEST bus service</a>, and his refusal to address issues like a toddler <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/mumbai-news/video-shows-rescue-operation-of-mumbai-boy-who-fell-in-drain-2-days-ago-2068380">slipping down the </a>drain--did not go down well with the electorate. An acid test for the BJP government The politicians of the ruling party which is the BJP and Shiv Sena combine, seem to be taking it slow on campaigning this year. In fact, the CM Fadnavis also said that there is no<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/pehelwans-panzies-and-nikammas-maharashtra-elections-rallies-keep-the-drama-high/articleshow/71610174.cms"> pehelwan or a great opponent</a> this time. A lot more believe that this state election is a foregone conclusion mostly because the Parliamentary elections in April and May this year have shown that there is a strong BJP wave. Yet, a lot has changed since Modi came to power the second time. For one, the economic slowdown has become a grim reality and painful reality—which the central government has been slow to react to. Maharashtra’s election outcomes often mirror the general elections that have preceded them in recent years but surprises are born out of complacency. But for that, there has to be a credible intent, palpable energy, and effective communication from the opposition.

Maharashtra state elections 2019: These are the issues the opposition could have capitalised on but didn’t

<ul><li><keyword id="6364749" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sharad-Pawar">Sharad Pawar</keyword> said that he was unaware of his nephew Ajit Pawar siding with the BJP at the last moment. </li><li>Ajit Pawar’s decision is an act of indiscipline, said Sharad Pawar. </li><li>Sena’s senior leader Sanjay Raut claimed that they were backstabbed by Ajit, and also that a few MLAs have been kidnapped. </li></ul>Among the many people who feigned ignorance of the shocking twist to the Maharashtra political stalemate is NCP numero uno Sharad Pawar. The Maratha strongman claims that he was unaware of his nephew Ajit Pawar siding with the BJP at the last moment, leading to an early morning<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/news/devendra-fadnavis-back-as-maharashtra-cm-as-ncp-ditches-sena-in-the-last-minute-for-bjp/articleshow/72193667.cms"> swearing in of Devendra</a> Fadnavis who is back at his throne. In a press conference held with Shiv Sena today, Pawar said, “Ajit’s decision is an act of indiscipline and that no honest NCP worker is in favour of the NCP-BJP alliance that is in power.” The 78-year-old who made an<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/elections/news/sharad-pawar-final-result-of-maharashtra-state-assembly-election-2019/articleshow/71738410.cms"> avenging comeback</a> into politics this time around, had campaigned extensively across the state. His poll slogan was BJP’s insensitive attitude towards farmers. Surprisingly as all the four parties—Congress, BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP were trading backroom—Pawar had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi -- apparently to speak about farmer’s issues. At the press conference held to placate hurt sentiments of Shiv Sena who were getting ready to crown Uddhav Thackeray as the CM—Pawar blamed the governor Bhagat Singh Koshiyari -- who was formerly a member of BJP. “We can’t rule out the possibility of ‘cheating’ governor,” Pawar said at the press conference. Shiv Sena’s senior leader Sanjay Raut has claimed that they were backstabbed by Ajit, and also that a few MLAs have been kidnapped and a few are returning. The state went into a crisis mode after former frenemies--BJP and Sena could not agree on seat sharing, especially when it comes to the chief minister. Both these parties together could have reached the majority of 140 odd seats needed, but the fragile alliance which was evident even before polls could hold on. This was especially true after Sena won a<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/elections/news/maharashtra-state-assembly-election-2019-final-result/articleshow/71731412.cms"> surprisingly good mandate</a> with 56 seats tilting the balance of power. The fact that NCP and Congress also won 54 and 44 seats also made them a powerful combine. BJP, on the other hand, won 105 seats even as exit polls predicted a massive win of over 200.

Sharad Pawar blames governor along with Ajit Pawar for the shocking twist in Maha power battle

<ul><li>Sena’s Raut wondered if Modi was "kept away" by top BJP leaders from the decision taken over seat-sharing. </li><li>According to Raut, if Modi knew about the seat-sharing formula "in time", Maharashtra wouldn’t have been facing the current political impasse. </li><li>On Wednesday, Shah said that Sena's demands including sharing the chief minister's post, were "unacceptable" to BJP. </li></ul>Shiv Sena leader <keyword id="6355496" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sanjay-Raut">Sanjay Raut</keyword> on Thursday said that had BJP president Amit Shah informed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the "50:50" seat-sharing formula "in time", Maharashtra would not have been facing the current political impasse. Raut wondered if Modi was "kept away" by top BJP leaders from the decision taken over seat-sharing. Shah on Wednesday said the Shiv Sena's demands, including sharing the chief minister's post, were "unacceptable" to the BJP. He also rejected Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray's claim that the BJP agreed to share the CM's post with the ally, saying Prime Minister Modi many times and he "at least 100 times" said in public during the Assembly polls campaign that Devendra Fadnavis will again head the government if the saffron alliance gets a majority. Reacting to it, Raut said, "Had Shah informed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about this decision of '50:50 formula' in time, we would not have been facing this situation today." "I heard Modi (during poll campaigns) saying that Fadnavis will continue as the chief minister of Maharashtra, but we maintained the decorum and did not object it as we did not see it as a political message to us," he said. "I wonder whether Modi was kept away by top BJP leaders from the decision taken between the BJP and Shiv Sena over seat-sharing," the Rajya Sabha member said. He said Shah and Thackeray had met at the latter's residence in Mumbai (in February before the Lok Sabha polls). "It was the drawing room of late Balasaheb Thackeray, but for us it is a temple. The talks were held in the temple. If someone says no promises were made, it is an insult of the temple, Balasaheb Thackeray and Maharashtra," Raut said, adding that the room is a "holy place" for Shiv Sainiks. Shah, in a statement on Wednesday, did not touch upon the details of the agreement between the two allies of 30 years, saying it is not the values of the BJP to bring to public what has been discussed in private. Hitting out at Shah's remarks, Raut said, "When a promise made behind closed door is not kept, then only it comes out. We never trade in politics nor we see politics from the angle of profit or loss. We are making it public because it is about our self-respect." President's rule was imposed in the state on Tuesday after Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari sent a report to the Centre, stating that formation of a stable government was impossible in the current situation despite all his efforts. The BJP and Shiv Sena, which fought the October 21 state polls in alliance, secured a comfortable majority by winning 105 and 56 seats, respectively, in the 288-member Assembly. But the BJP did not cede the Sena's demand of sharing the chief minister's post, leading to falling apart of the nearly three-decade-old alliance. The Congress and NCP won 44 and 54 seats, respectively, in the last month's polls. After the imposition of President's rule in the state, the Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP leaders on Wednesday held hectic parleys to work out a 'common minimum programme' for government formation.

Sena wonders if Amit Shah kept Modi in the loop about their 50:50 formula

<ul><li>Chandrakant Bacchu Patil of BJP won with 101,943 votes at Kothrud near Pune.</li><li>He secured a vote share of 54% as per election commission website .</li><li>His closest competitor Kishor Nana Shinde of MNS has secured 76,696 votes.</li></ul>BJP's Chandrakant Bacchu Patil's fight to finish was nailbiting and curious. But it all ended well as he won at Kothrud in Pune, and also established a wide 25,000 vote margin over his MNS opponent Kishor Nana Shinde. Both the candidates fought the battle neck to neck for hours. But, by 4:46, Patil secured 101,943 votes while Nane managed 76,696 votes. Patil started with a 61% vote share at 10:46 am which was cut down to 52% in the next few hours as Shinde's votes spiked. Shah's mentee's career also mimicks that of the union home minister, who also entered the cabinet after he contested in 2014 elections. Patil’s victory is extremely important at the national level for BJP, as he is known to be the Amit Shah of Maharashtra. Not only is he the second most important person in the party in the state, it is also his first election. Patil is known to be Shah’s blue eyed boy and his eyes and ears in the state. The union home minister Amit Shah himself fielded him in the key Pune constituency. While doing so he has angered the strongest Pune Brahmin community as he overlooked a popular candidate of the community—Medha Kulkarni. Added to that, Patil does not hail from the Kothrud area, which became the poll campaign of Shinde who used the ‘outsider’ jibe at numerous speeches he gave. But he has the backing of big guns from BJP. Apart from Shah who campaigned extensively in the state, Modi himself addressed a rally in Pune, this election. Patil victory or loss will ruffle many feathers in the state due to his origins in the Maratha community. If he builds his political profile like his mentor Shah, he would probably challenge the supremacy of chief minister and state party leader—Devendra Fadnavis. SEE ALSO <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/elections/news/maharashtra-state-assembly-election-2019-final-result/articleshow/71731412.cms">Maharashtra Assembly Election 2019 results: BJP combine in the lead but Sena's wins might crack their fragile bond</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/elections/news/sena-scion-aditya-thackeray-might-win-his-first-election-says-times-now-exit-poll/articleshow/71691140.cms">Sena scion Aaditya Thackeray is leading with 13,834 votes and 75% vote share in Worli</a>

Chandrakant Patil called 'Amit Shah of Maharashtra' wins by a wide margin in Kothrud

<ul><li>BJP-Sena combine win 161 seats, Congress and allies win 98 and others in 29.</li><li>Sharad Pawar comes back from the shadows to drive his party NCP to better-than-expected performance. </li><li>The seat sharing and negotiations will get tougher after Sena has made its stance of equal sharing, clear.</li></ul>The Bharatiya Janata Party-Sena alliance won 161 seats while the Congress-NCP combine won 98 seats. Independents and other parties managed to win around 29 seats, as per election commission. While the results came as per expected, it did not match the sky high expectations of poll pundits and other experts. A few exit polls even predicted over 225 seats for the BJP combine but NCP make a comeback under the active campaigning of Sharad Pawar who did not contest in this election himself. "Those who have rebelled have not done well," commented Pawar speaking to the media today. The 78 year old put up a tough fight by campaigning extensively even during rains, even as he was being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate. In fact, a large number of MLAs and other assemblymen had quit the party right before the elections. Shiv Sena too won more seats than expected in 48 constituencies. It is now all set to make a significant contribution to the Maharashtra government. "We (Amit Shah and himself) have agreed on a portfolio number and we expect to stick to that," said Uddhav Thackeray speaking to the press today. His son Aaditya Thackeray won his first election in the Worli constituency with over 25,000 vote margin. Sena's better than expected win could cause cracks in the fragile bond between the coalition partners, as Sena might now seek a higher representation in the ministry. Poll analysts believe that Sena might now propose a rotational chief ministership and even the deputy chief minister's post. <table style="border-collapse:collapse;border:none;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-themecolor:text1;mso-yfti-tbllook:1184;mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"><tbody><tr><td style="border:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-themecolor:text1; mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor:text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"></td><td style="border:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-themecolor:text1; border-left:none;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-left-themecolor: text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor:text1;padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt">Won </td> <td style="border:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-themecolor:text1; border-left:none;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-left-themecolor: text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor:text1;padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt">Leading </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-themecolor:text1; border-top:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor: text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor:text1;padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> BJP-Shiv Sena </td> <td style="border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1;border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor: text1;mso-border-top-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1; mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-left-themecolor:text1; mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor:text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt">161 </td> <td style="border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1;border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor: text1;mso-border-top-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1; mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-left-themecolor:text1; mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor:text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt">0 </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-themecolor:text1; border-top:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor: text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor:text1;padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> Congress-NCP </td> <td style="border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1;border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor: text1;mso-border-top-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1; mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-left-themecolor:text1; mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor:text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt">98</td> <td style="border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1;border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor: text1;mso-border-top-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1; mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-left-themecolor:text1; mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor:text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt">0</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-themecolor:text1; border-top:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor: text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor:text1;padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> Others </td> <td style="border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1;border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor: text1;mso-border-top-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1; mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-left-themecolor:text1; mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor:text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt">29</td> <td style="border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1;border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor: text1;mso-border-top-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1; mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-left-themecolor:text1; mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor:text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt">0</td> </tr> </tbody></table> The vote share percentages over the last assembly elections however remained on similar lines. <table style="border-collapse:collapse;border:none;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt; mso-border-themecolor:text1;mso-yfti-tbllook:1184;mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> <tbody><tr> <td style="border:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-themecolor:text1; mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor:text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> </td> <td style="border:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-themecolor:text1; border-left:none;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-left-themecolor: text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor:text1;padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> 2019 vote share </td> <td style="border:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-themecolor:text1; border-left:none;mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-left-themecolor: text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor:text1;padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> 2014 vote share </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-themecolor:text1; border-top:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor: text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor:text1;padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> BJP </td> <td style="border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1;border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor: text1;mso-border-top-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1; mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-left-themecolor:text1; mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor:text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> 26.2% </td> <td style="border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1;border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor: text1;mso-border-top-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1; mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-left-themecolor:text1; mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor:text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> 28% </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-themecolor:text1; border-top:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor: text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor:text1;padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> Shiv Sena </td> <td style="border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1;border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor: text1;mso-border-top-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1; mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-left-themecolor:text1; mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor:text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> 17.7% </td> <td style="border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1;border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor: text1;mso-border-top-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1; mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-left-themecolor:text1; mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor:text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> 19.9% </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-themecolor:text1; border-top:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor: text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor:text1;padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> Congress </td> <td style="border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1;border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor: text1;mso-border-top-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1; mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-left-themecolor:text1; mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor:text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> 15.6% </td> <td style="border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1;border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor: text1;mso-border-top-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1; mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-left-themecolor:text1; mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor:text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> 18.1% </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="border:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-themecolor:text1; border-top:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor: text1;mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor:text1;padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> NCP </td> <td style="border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1;border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor: text1;mso-border-top-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1; mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-left-themecolor:text1; mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor:text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> 16.7% </td> <td style="border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor:text1;border-right:solid black 1.0pt;mso-border-right-themecolor: text1;mso-border-top-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-top-themecolor:text1; mso-border-left-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-left-themecolor:text1; mso-border-alt:solid black .5pt;mso-border-themecolor:text1;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"> 17.4% </td> </tr> </tbody></table> Maharashtra was once a Congress stronghold but few remember it to be so. Even fewer debate the ability of the ruling Sena-BJP government to come into power. In fact, all the discussion is around the number of seats that the ruling government will win. A few exit polls even predicted that it will cross 220 out of the total seats of 288. These numbers are mostly based on how the state voted in for the Lok Sabha elections. But in spite of being dubbed Maharashtra’s Modi, the chief minister Devendra Fadnavis a debutante has a new set of problems. For one, a lot has changed since Modi came into power—and not for the better. The country is growing at a slower pace, and many industries like the auto sector have come to a grinding standstill. The state contributes around 12% to the country’s GDP with its capital also being the country’s financial capital. It also bears the worst of the ongoing slowdown. The state’s cultural capital isn’t doing too well either as Pune’s auto component and manufacturing sector is at the receiving end of job crisis. But the Fadnavis government has done what few states could—in the last five years—reduce its debt <a href="https://www.opindia.com/2019/10/poll-promise-vs-performance-of-devendra-fadnavis-govt-in-maharashtra/">by around</a> 9%. Moreover , the state’s fiscal deficit also reduced slightly. The government also claims to have kickstarted many irrigation projects that remained stalled during the Congress rule. In fact, NCP supremo’s son Ajit Pawar was the center of a massive irrigation scam in the last decade. But, the ruling government said that it brought 13 lakh hectares of land under irrigation during the tenure. But not all farmers are happy. Though they are being able to produce more, they are unhappy with the government’s attitude to minimum support prices. In fact, not one but two large protests were taken up by farmers as they marched from Nasik to Mumbai seeking a bailout package along with price support. Sharad Pawar who is not contesting this time around but campaigned extensively, took it up as a poll issue. In-fighting with Sena The state government has faced many internal headwinds as well. The allies Shiv Sena and BJP are not up in arms. This alliance was forged before Modi came into power in 2014 when few knew that BJP would have a far-reaching mass appeal. At the central level too, BJP as a party is getting stronger and its local Saffron cousin isn’t too impressed with the treatment. BJP is also turning a lot more assertive in the state. It has put its own candidates to fight in Sena strongholds of Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindudurg—which are traditional Sena bastions. In a ludicrous manner, BJP calls it a ‘friendly fight’. Sena party chief Uddhav Thackeray is not impressed. Shiv Sena which was formed by his father, Bal Thackeray, is formed on deep rooted connections with the soil and takes pride in it. A national level party wrenching control of it, hurts it at many levels. In a rare interview, Uddhav said that being second fiddle is not what he has in mind for his party. He even said that he forsees a time when a Sena candidate would be the CM, and his more ambitious son—Aditya Thackeray —is also making his debut in politics. This infighting might break the vote as people doubt the long-term prospects of the alliance going ahead.

It's a bittersweet win for BJP & Sena in Maharashtra— fewer seats to take and larger egos to battle

Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> today said residents and city leadership should play the major role in deciding how their city will grow and not private property developers, as he unveiled three mega flagship urban schemes aimed at developing cities as engines of growth. Urbanisation should be viewed as an opportunity and urban centres should be viewed as growth engines, he said launching the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and <keyword id="2130852" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Urban-transformation">Urban Transformation</keyword> (AMRUT), <keyword id="2738020" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Smart-Cities-Mission">Smart Cities Mission</keyword>, and <keyword id="2481158" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Housing-for-All">Housing for All</keyword> (Urban) here. 

	"Under these schemes we can go ahead and we can do it together (Centre and state). India is rapidly urbanising. Every year Hindustan gives birth to a small country," he said. 
 

	While 500 cities will be developed under AMRUT scheme, there would be 100 Smart Cities over five years and Housing for All aims construction of 2 crore houses in urban areas in the next seven years. 
 

	Smart City will be selected through a competition among cities while 500 cities are being identified under AMRUT. 
 

	Referring to Smart City, Modi said, "For the first time in India, a challenge was being floated, in which the citizens of urban India could contribute in the formulation of development visions of their cities." 
 

	Those cities which were able to competitively meet the required parameters would be developed as smart cities. 
 

	"This competitive mechanism would end the top-down approach, and lead to people-centric urban development," he said. 
 

	"These urban development schemes were not prepared by the Government alone, but involved perhaps the biggest consultation exercise ever taken by the Union Government, involving all stakeholders and examining global best practices," he said. 
 

	Stressing that all schemes for urban development should move forward based on people's participation, Modi said, "There is a lack of holistic vision about urban planning, and expansion is driven not by the administrators of a city, but by property developers. 
 

	"Through AMRUT, the aim of the Government is to give cities themselves the chance to plan their future growth," he said. 
 

	The Prime Minister said the people assembled for the function here had on them the collective responsibility for better quality of life for 40 percent of India's population that either lived in cities, or were dependent on cities for their livelihood. 
 

	The Prime Minister stressed that aspirations of migrants from rural areas, and slum dwellers, should be balanced with the changing global environment and said ensuring a good life for them is the government's responsibility. 
 

	Giving a simple vision of a smart city, he said it is one which was a step or two ahead of people's aspirations. 
 

	"There should be facility for walk-to-work because today a person spends maximum time in travelling to office and gets very little time to work," Modi said. 
 

	Besides transportation, technology also plays a key role and there should also be provision for energy efficiency, and cycling etc. 
 

	Lamenting the state of affairs in urban areas, he said, "If this had been done 25-30 years ago, it would have led to good results today, but better late than never. Schemes which had a clear vision and were people-centric, were the need of the hour." 
 

	Seeking replication of best practices from across the country, the Prime Minister mentioned Hyderabad's tax collection system, Karnataka's efforts for solid waste management, and Chhattisgarh's work to eliminate open defecation. 
 

	Chhattisgarh, which is fighting Maoist menace, is making an all out effort to make the state free from open defecation, he said. 
 

	Mentioning the challenge of rising population, he said all possible avenues should be explored to find the resources for urban development. 
 

	Highlighting the importance of the housing scheme, the Prime Minister observed that, "A house was a turning point in the lives of poor, which leads towards a better life and the government's effort was to not just provide a house, but to provide the right environment to live life to the fullest." 
 

	Citing the existing housing shortage of 2 crore units, he said India would complete 75 years of Independence in 2022, and by then, it was "our responsibility to provide a house for everyone". 
 

	Noting that public representatives and leaders are remembered by the good work they did in their terms, the Prime Minister asked urban leaders to contribute to doing something for the good of the people. 
 

	If a person gets an opportunity and does something worthwhile, it will be remembered even after 50 years, he said. 
 

	Asking chairpersons of municipalities and mayors of urban local bodies to do some good work in their terms, Modi said, "You can show your grandson whether it is any building or whatever you have done 50 years ago. The success parameter of life is that what you have done for the people." 
 

	The Prime Minister appreciated people for their interest and work in the Swachh Bharat initiative, as well as the positive role played by media in generating awareness. 
 

	"All media men are doing it on their own and media role in Swachh Bharat campaign will always be remembered for this, he said. 
 

	On the rural and urban divide, the Prime Minister said urban and rural development in the country should be complimentary. 
 

	"One way of doing this was to ensure waste water management in urban areas, so that the treated water could be returned to rural areas for irrigation. Similarly solid waste management could generate compost which could act as organic fertiliser for the surrounding rural areas," he said. 
 

	Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis, Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar, Jammu and Kashmir Deputy CM Nirmal Kumar Singh, mayors, chairpersons of urban local bodies and senior officials from all states and UTs have attended the mega event at the Vigyan Bhawan. 
 

	On the occasion, the Prime Minister released logos, and taglines for AMRUT and Smart Cities Mission; and guidelines for AMRUT, Smart Cities Mission and Housing for All (Urban). 
 

	The Prime Minister also visited an exhibition on best practices in urban development. 
	 
	(image credits: indiatimes)

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