The thumping victory by the Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies in the Lok Sabha election may have also paved the way for the alliance’s return to power in Maharashtra in the forthcoming Assembly elections in October.

The BJP along with Shiv Sena, Republican Party of India (Athavale), Swabhimani Shetkari Sangthana and Rashtriya Samaj Paksha put together a combination that sought to appeal to all sections of the society from Dalits staying in Mumbai slums to farmers in the remote villages of Maharashtra.

In Solapur, for example, traditionally represented by party loyalist and Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde - the constituency saw Shinde trailing by 1.5 lakh votes to Sharad Bansode of the BJP. A number of working class voters, which have always voted for Congress, seem to have swung the votes.

In Madha constituency in Solapur district, from where Sharad Pawar had won the 2009 elections, NCP old timer Vijaysinh Mohite-Patil was fielded this time. NCP’s Supriya Sule saw an uphill task against Mahadev Jankar of the Rashtriya Samaj Paksha , in Baramati, otherwise seen as a safe bet for the Pawar family. Having bagged over 40 of the 48 seats, BJP and its alliance partners have also demanded the resignation of the Congress-NCP government led by Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan.

BJP State president Devendra Fadnavis said that the alliance partners are not demanding Chavan government’s dismissal just because BJP is forming the next government at the Centre. This government should own up moral responsibility and face Assembly elections soon.

“The people of the state were disappointed with the state and Central governments. They realised that Narendra Modi can provide a stable government,” Fadnavis said.

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