Has PM Narendra Modi and Amit Shah combo delivered Maharashtra to BJP?

Has the BJP's star campaigner PM Narendra Modi swung it for the party and paved its way for forming Maharashtra's first ever BJP-led government? If exit polls and surveys conducted after the polling on Wednesday is anything to go by, then the BJP is poised to emerge as the single-largest party in the state and, in all probability, will form the next government.

Will BJP form the government; who's likely to be CM?
Almost all exit polls and surveys have estimated that the BJP is set to win around 130 seats on its own. It means that BJP is sure to form the government and have its own CM. The probable CM candidates are: BJP state unit chief Devendra Fadnavis, leader of opposition and senior BJP leader Eknath Khadse, former state unit president and veteran leader Sudhir Mungantiwar and Union minister Nitin Gadkari.

How did BJP swing it?
A carpet-bombing of more than 20 public rallies by PM Modi at systematically planned constituencies across the state seem to have been the master stroke. Modi held rallies at the unlikeliest of places like Loni, Tulzapur and Erandol. Modi also ambushed NCP chief Sharad Pawar's bastion in Baramati.

Will ally-turned-foe Shiv Sena form an alliance with BJP or support it from outside?
Based on the exit polls, the BJP is expected to fall short by approximately 15 seats to reach the figure of 145 out of 288 required to form the government. In all likelyhood, the BJP would approach the Shiv Sena to form a post-poll alliance or seek its support. According to sources, the BJP may give Sena a few more ministerial posts to ensure that the government remains stable.

Is Congress' loss, BJP's gain?
The BJP is projected to win big in several areas considered to be Congress bastions like Vidharbha, where the Congress had a tally of 24 seats in 2009 and BJP had 19 seats. However, this time, the Congress may barely touch double figures, while the BJP is expected to cross 40. Other areas where the BJP is likely to score over the Congress is Mumbai. The Congress is expected to be reduced to a single digit while the BJP is expected to cross the 25-figure mark. Marathwada is another Congress stronghold where the BJP is expected to win.

Did Modi's development agenda cut through class and caste?
Modi and the BJP's focus on having same government at the Centre and the state seems to have influenced the voters. Another aspect was Modi's reassurance that Mumbai and Maharashtra's development and progress was crucial for the country's development. He also assured to transform Mumbai into an international city.

Did Muslims desert Congress?
The Congress' time-tested vote base, the Muslim community, seems to have deserted it by voting for the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), especially in constituencies like Byculla and Mumbadevi in Mumbai. Even in constituencies (out of Mumbai) like Mumbra, Malegaon, Aurangabad, Solapur and Nanded, Muslims seem to have preferred the AIMIM over the Congress.

Is this the end of the road for the MNS?
The exit polls have estimated that the Raj Thackeray-led MNS will manage to get a mere five seats, which is drastically low than the 13 it won in 2009. Experts say the MNS seems to have lost its way. They, however, add that in politics there is never any end for a party. It can bounce back any time in the future depending upon the prevailing political situation.

What is the future of Sharad Pawar-led NCP?
After being in power for 15 years in alliance with the Congress, this was the first time that the NCP was contesting alone. Even though it was led by the state's most experienced politician Sharad Pawar, the party is expected to perform poorly. Experts say power struggle between Pawar and his nephew Ajit is the biggest reason for the party's poor performance. Another factor that is likely to affect the party is 15 years of anti-incumbency coupled with serious corruption allegations against several NCP ministers. Given Pawar's track record, experts are not willing to write him off and term it the end of the road for the Maratha strongman and his party.