Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule is credited with playing a key role in his party’s triumph in the recent Assembly polls. When he was named the state party chief in August 2022, many saw it as a “consolation post” as he was denied a party ticket in the 2019 Assembly polls. But Bawankule has since come into his own, leading the party from the front in the crucial state. In an interview with The Indian Express, Bawankule speaks on a range of issues, including the BJP’s successful strategy for the Maharashtra polls, the selection of party leader Devendra Fadnavis as the CM, and the delay in the expansion of the new Cabinet. Excerpts:
They (MVA leaders) do not want to accept their failure or admit Mahayuti’s success. The planning undertaken by the BJP in the Assembly polls was beyond anybody’s imagination. They were flying high after the Lok Sabha results, but we were rooted to the ground. Our leader Devendra Fadnavis made us believe in ourselves.
*What do you identify as the main reasons behind the BJP’s Assembly poll victory?
We focused on at least 32 parameters to strengthen the party’s electoral base across the 288 seats… From the grass root karyakarta (worker) to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, everyone’s role was integral. 35 outfits affiliated to the Parivar (RSS) also shouldered the responsibility wholeheartedly.
*What was your booth-level management strategy?
Taking lessons from the Lok Sabha results, we categorised booths at different levels. There were 36,809 A grade booths (where above 50% voting took place in the Lok Sabha polls); 29,129 B grade booths (35 to 50% voting); 20,274 C grade booths (20 to 35%); 11,334 D grade booths (less than 20 %) .
These helped us identify our strengths and weaknesses. Our dedicated workers then helped raise the vote share. Overall, Mahayuti’s vote share went up from 2.48 crore to 3.11 crore, while the MVA’s dropped from 2.50 crore to 2.17 crore.
* The BJP contested only 149 seats. But how did the strategy pan out in all 288 seats?
Though we contested only 149 seats and won 132, we planned and enforced our strategy across 288 seats. We did not discriminate between the BJP and Shiv Sena or NCP candidates.
*What was the BJP central leadership’s role in the Assembly polls?
In Modi and (Union Home Minister Amit) Shah, we have leaders who do not discriminate between panchayat and Parliament polls.
Modi’s “Ek hain to safe hain” campaign struck a positive chord with masses across the state. Even before the polls were announced, Shah held meetings with BJP office-bearers across regions. This has never happened. Our president J P Nadda gave us a free hand to make decisions and stood with us when there were faults.
Union Ministers Bhupendra Yadav and Ashwini Vaishnaw were there in Maharashtra for two months and reached out to OBCs, Dalits, and tribals. Nitin Gadkari also held 65 rallies in the state. In Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, we had a fiery campaigner.
*Do you think the OBC versus Maratha polarisation worked on the ground?
The BJP reached out to 353 OBC sub-castes and this strategy yielded positive results. Activist Manoj Jarange Patil’s attack against the BJP and especially on Devendra Fadnavis boomeranged. We got sizeable support from Marathas and this is reflected in seats won in Marathwada.
*What went behind the scenes in the selection of Fadnavis as the CM?
There was no ambiguity about Fadnavis becoming the CM. He truly deserves the CM post on merit. In June 2022, when he was made Deputy CM, it upset and hurt BJP karyakartas. In Fadnavis, they saw an able administrator.
*Is Eknath Shinde upset about his Deputy CM post now?
I do not think so. Shinde led Maharashtra for 2.5 years. We contested the polls under him as CM. Personally, I believe Shinde also was not against Fadnavis becoming CM. But it is also natural for Shiv Sena workers to have their own expectations.
*The delay in Cabinet formation is being attributed to conflict within the Mahayuti. How do you view this?
All three (Mahayuti) leaders Fadnavis, Shinde and (NCP chief) Ajit Pawar are working together as a team. When there is such a big mandate, the aspirations of workers of each party also rise. Given the limitations of 43 ministers (in the government), some discussions have to happen. But they (discussions) are in the final stages.
Why should you buy our Subscription?
You want to be the smartest in the room.
You want access to our award-winning journalism.
You don’t want to be misled and misinformed.
Choose your subscription package
