Sharad Pawar ‘Thanks’ PM Modi as MVA Sweeps Maharashtra in Lok Sabha Elections

NCP founder Sharad Pawar has “thanked” Prime Minister Narendra Modi after Maharashtra’s opposition alliance, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) – consisting of his party, ex-Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena faction, and the Congress – won 30 of the state’s 48 Lok Sabha seats in this election.

Mr. Pawar, who lost the NCP symbol and name to the group led by nephew Ajit Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister after allying with the BJP and the Sena breakaways led by eventual Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, said, “We thank PM Narendra Modi for making the political atmosphere conducive for the MVA.”

The jibe comes amid inquests, public and private, into the BJP’s dismal showing in Maharashtra, where it won 23 seats in 2019 but only nine this time. Data suggests that Mr. Modi and the BJP did not win 15 of 18 seats in which they campaigned extensively. The three exceptions were Mumbai North, Mumbai North West, and Satara.

The remaining constituencies, including Beed, Latur, Nashik, Mumbai North East, and Pune, went to the MVA parties. Mr. Pawar’s NCP secured eight seats, while Ajit Pawar’s NCP managed just one. Meanwhile, Mr. Thackeray, buoyed by a strong election in which his Sena faction won nine seats and the breakaway group secured seven, seemed to shut the door to those looking to return after jumping ship. He stated that those who stayed loyal after the split in 2022 would remain amid rumors that at least two MPs are ready to move.