The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has once again employed its unique ‘envelope’ strategy, previously implemented in the Goa and Bihar elections, for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections. In a move to determine candidates for the 2024 Vidhansabha election, the BJP, on Tuesday, sought names of potential candidates from the party’s district chiefs. A total of 607 office-bearers in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar handed over sealed envelopes containing the names of three candidates in order of preference from various constituencies.
This envelope-based selection process is seen as the first hurdle for those vying for party nomination. The BJP has used this method in past elections in states like Goa and Bihar, and it will be interesting to see how effective it proves in Maharashtra this time. Notably, the BJP plans to introduce fresh faces in many constituencies, which could result in current sitting MLAs being replaced. The impact of this shift remains to be seen within the party organization.
In the upcoming assembly elections, the BJP has set its sights on contesting between 150 to 160 seats. As part of these preparations, several key meetings are taking place, including a crucial one in Mumbai on Wednesday. Union Home Minister Amit Shah met with leaders of the BJP and its Grand Alliance at the Sahyadri Guest House to discuss strategy. The leaders are expected to brief Shah about the status of contested seats in the state.
Before the meeting, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and BJP leader Ganesh Naik also met with Amit Shah to discuss election-related issues. Shah is on a two-day tour of Maharashtra, during which he has interacted with BJP leaders and office bearers from regions such as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Kolhapur, Raigad, Thane, and Navi Mumbai.
During his tour, Shah offered advice to party workers regarding election strategies. He emphasized the importance of boosting voter turnout, instructing leaders to aim for a 10% increase at each polling booth. Shah also encouraged the use of the Sama-Dam-Danda-Bheda principle, a strategy focused on persuasion, negotiation, and assertiveness, if necessary, to bring in workers from other parties at the grassroots level.
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government is fast-tracking key decisions ahead of the announcement of the assembly election code of conduct. The state’s Grand Alliance government is holding multiple cabinet meetings, with over 40 significant decisions made in the most recent session. More decisions are expected in the coming week as the elections draw near, further shaping the political landscape of Maharashtra.