The Modi wave has receded and both face the challenge of retaining 41 seats of the total 48 seats in the state.
The saffron parties Shiv Sena and BJP have struck an alliance in Maharashtra for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Riding the Modi wave, the BJP and Shiv Sena had jointly contested general elections in 2014 to win a record of 41 seats (BJP 23 and 18 by Shiv Sena) while one was bagged by BJP's former ally Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana. BJP had got 27.6 per cent votes while 20.8 per cent was bagged by Shiv Sena. Together they had gained 48.4 per cent votes against 34.4 per cent by the Congress and NCP combine.
However, in the subsequent Assembly elections, the BJP and Shiv Sena failed to strike a deal and independently fought for 288 Assembly seats. The BJP emerged as big brother by winning 122 seats with 26.1 per cent votes while Shiv Sena bagged 63 seats with 19.5 per cent. The Congress and NCP also went solo. The Congress won 42 seats with 18.1 per cent votes and NCP bagged 41 seats with 17.4 per cent.
The Modi wave has receded and both face the challenge of retaining 41 seats of the total 48 seats in the state. Much water has flown under the bridge. As the saying goes ''United we stand, divided we lose.'' Both the parties realised that an alliance is crucial to avoid division in votes.
Secondly, anti-incumbency has kicked in and voters are quite displeased with the government's handling of various issues including farmers distress, implementation of Rs 34,000 crore farm loan waiver and crop insurance scheme, demonetisation and its effects especially in micro, small and medium enterprises and lack of adequate jobs. Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray had repeatedly cornered the Modi government and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis-led government on these issues.
However, both hope together they will be able to reach out to voters with the Centre's announcement of Kisan Sanman yojana (distribution of Rs 6,000 in three instalments to farmers), relief in income tax for middle class and government's efforts to promote jobs by promoting MSMEs and start ups and other initiatives.
Thirdly, both strongly believe that the nationalism (rashtravad) and Hindutva is the glue that bind them together. BJP and Shiv Sena also feel that they can convince the voters that the Modi led strong government is necessary to strongly take on Pakistan and fight terrorism. The trigger was last week's Pulwama attack killing 40 CRPF jawans and the Centre's decision to give free hand to army to take necessary action.
Fourthly, Shiv Sena and BJP hope that Modi led government at the Centre will be essential to spur growth which won't be possible and thereby achieve the target of $5 trillion economy by 2025 and $10 trillion by 2030 or 2035. Modi had already insisted that Majboot and not Majboor Sarkar is required. He had termed the Mahagathbandhan as Mahamilawat (adulterated).
Lastly, alliance government at the Centre and state will help to put implementation of development projects on fast track. Shiv Sena is insisting on more allocation of funds from the Centre's kitty to Mumbai while BJP has repeatedly claimed that the party led government was generous to provide higher assistance to the state in the wake of natural calamities such as drought. Besides, state received more funds through multiple instruments including funds from the Centre and loan from National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development to complete long pending irrigation projects and thereby increase the irrigation potential.
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