In a confident assertion, NCP (SP) MP Amol Kolhe, representing the Shirur Lok Sabha constituency, has predicted a landslide victory for the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition in the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections. Kolhe, buoyed by recent electoral trends, boldly projected that the MVA could secure between 180 to 190 seats out of the total 288.
“Looking at the trends of the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls, the MVA is ahead on at least 155 Assembly seats. I am sure this number will increase to 180-190 seats given that we are taking a lot of efforts,” Kolhe remarked in a video posted on X (formerly Twitter), accompanied by the caption “Ab ki baar, MVA sarkar.”
This optimism echoes recent sentiments expressed by NCP leader Sharad Pawar, who emphasized a significant shift in voter sentiment favoring the MVA. Pawar, a veteran politician, highlighted that recent electoral successes have positioned the coalition to potentially capture a commanding 225 seats in the state assembly.
“In the 2019 Lok Sabha election, the opposition won six seats, while in the 2024 election, the MVA won 31 out of 48 seats. Winds of change are blowing. People saw the Modi administration and have decided to change it. The change was possible owing to people’s movement. I am sure the same trend will be reflected in the Assembly election too. MVA will win 225 out of 288 seats,” Pawar confidently stated.
The upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections, anticipated to be held in October, have drawn significant attention as political parties strategize to secure a majority. Currently, to form a government, a party or alliance needs a minimum of 145 seats.
Reflecting on the dynamics of past elections, in the 2019 polls, the BJP emerged as the single-largest party with 105 seats, followed by the undivided Shiv Sena with 56 seats, undivided NCP with 54 seats, and Congress with 44 seats. However, the political landscape witnessed upheaval as alliances shifted and the Shiv Sena, initially allied with BJP, later joined hands with Congress-NCP to form the MVA government under Uddhav Thackeray’s leadership.
Yet, the stability of the MVA government was tested by internal dissent, resulting in brief alliances and realignments among parties like Shiv Sena and NCP. This turbulent period underscored the volatility of Maharashtra’s political arena, where alliances can swiftly reshape the electoral landscape.
The upcoming elections are poised to be a critical juncture, determining whether the electorate will reaffirm their support for the MVA coalition or pivot towards alternatives like the Mahayuti alliance, which includes BJP and other parties. The outcome will not only shape the state’s governance but also serve as a barometer of public sentiment towards incumbent policies and leadership.
As Maharashtra braces for electoral fervor, the predictions and strategies of key political figures like Amol Kolhe and Sharad Pawar will continue to influence and shape the course of political discourse in the state.