Three months ago, the BJP aimed to win over 145 seats in the Maharashtra Assembly elections. However, following a disappointing Lok Sabha performance where there was a significant gap between projections and actual results, the party has revised its target. For the upcoming Assembly elections, the BJP is now focusing on securing 100 of the 288 seats, down from its initial ambitious goal.

Currently holding 106 seats, the BJP plans to surpass the halfway mark with the support of its allies, Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis emphasized the revised strategy in a recent meeting with grassroots workers. He assured them of the Mahayuti coalition’s return to power, stressing the importance of achieving at least 100 seats to ensure the BJP’s dominance.

Fadnavis noted that the vote share difference between the Mahayuti and the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in the Lok Sabha elections was only 0.3 percentage points, a margin of just two lakh votes, which he believes is surmountable. He is confident that the Eknath Shinde government’s Ladli Bahin Yojana will give the Mahayuti an edge.

Reflecting on the Lok Sabha results, a BJP functionary acknowledged that the previous “400 paar” slogan backfired. The party’s overestimation led to a disconnect with voters, prompting a shift in strategy towards more localized, grassroots engagement.

In response, the BJP has enhanced coordination with the RSS, with Fadnavis, who has a background in the Sangh, leading the seat-sharing negotiations. The RSS will deploy leaders in each Assembly constituency to ensure effective coordination and help promote the Mahayuti government’s initiatives. Additionally, right-wing Hindu organizations are mobilizing support by addressing themes like “love jihad” and “land jihad” through various rallies and protests.

The need for improved coordination with the RSS has become more pressing following tensions during the Lok Sabha elections. The BJP’s poor performance, combined with dissatisfaction over statements made by BJP president J.P. Nadda and criticism of the alliance with Ajit Pawar’s NCP, has strained relations. The lack of a general secretary for organization since 2021 has also impacted coordination efforts.

Despite these challenges, the BJP estimates having 97,000 booth workers across the state. The party is focused on activating these workers and is implementing changes at the booth and district levels to strengthen its campaign for the Assembly elections.