Rajya Sabha Election 2022: Team BJP wins gold while MVA had to settle on bronze

Rajya Sabha Election 2022: Team BJP wins gold while MVA had to settle on bronze

The counting of votes in the Rajya Sabha elections from Maharashtra began after 1 am Saturday following the Election Commission go-ahead.

Sanjay JogUpdated: Saturday, June 11, 2022, 10:30 PM IST
article-image
Mumbai: Former Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis speaks to media as BJP Rajya Sabha candidates Dhananjay Mahadik, Piyush Goyal and Anil Bonde look on after filing nomination for Rajya Sabha membership, in Mumbai, Monday, May 30, 2022. | -PTI

Eventually, Team BJP’s magic worked in the State Rajya Sabha elections and it managed to snatch a third seat much to the embarrassment of the MVA which, despite being in power, failed to make the right moves in the high-stake battle.

Team BJP, led by Devendra Fadnavis, despite the apparent lack of requisite numbers, successfully played mind games with the MVA, which was unable to hold its nerve.

By deftly marshalling the resources at its disposal, Fadnavis successfully lured at least 10 independents and members of smaller parties, paving the way for the victory of its three candidates.

Despites 113 votes, BJP secured 123, which helped the party's third nominee to cruise through.

On the other hand, despite support of 166 legislators, independents and legislators of smaller parties, Shiv Sena’s second nominee, Sanjay Pawar, had to bite the dust.

The BJP won 3 seats and one each went to the NCP and the Congress; the Shiv Sena, on the other hand, faced a humiliating defeat of its second nominee and had to be smug in the victory of its firebrand spokesman Sanjay Raut.

Victory has certainly boosted the morale of the BJP, while defeat has given a 400 KV shock to the MVA. It is a wake-up call for the ruling dispensation, to put its house in order. But, for the BJP, it is a god-sent opportunity to further spread its wings and consolidate its hold over Maharashtra.

Fadnavis’ planning was meticulous and he took things to their logical conclusion by deploying party legislators on the ground to mop up additional votes from independents and smaller parties. However, the MVA failed to keep its flock together, especially independents and smaller parties, which were annoyed with Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, in particular, and the government, in general, for not clearing their files and providing enough funds for their respective constituencies. They were also miffed at the poor communication with Thackeray, in the last two and a half years.

Shiv Sena poll managers, including legislative affairs minister Anil Parab and party MP Anil Desai, failed to counter Fadnavis’ strategy.

‘‘It is a convincing victory for the BJP and it was not just a matter of adding the numbers,’’ claimed Fadnavis. On the other hand, Raut admitted that they failed to secure the votes promised by independents and legislators from smaller parties which had cast their lot behind the MVA at the time of the confidence vote in November 2019.

State Congress chief Nana Patole, who was touting the victory of four nominees of the MVA, admitted that Fadnavis’ game plan had worked while their strategy failed miserably.

But there is at least one silver lining: Newly elected MP Praful Patel claimed that none of the legislators belonging to the Shiv Sena, the NCP and the Congress indulged in cross voting; rather, it was the alienation of the independents and legislators of smaller parties which cost the MVA heavily.

RECENT STORIES

Govinda Joins Shiv Sena: A Lookback At Actor's Political Journey

Govinda Joins Shiv Sena: A Lookback At Actor's Political Journey

Windsurfing Wonder: Mumbai's Naavya Kaku Maks Waves In National Sporting Arena

Windsurfing Wonder: Mumbai's Naavya Kaku Maks Waves In National Sporting Arena

Mumbai: Growel's 101 Mall Gets Second Notice From BMC To Hand Over Land For Development In Kandivali

Mumbai: Growel's 101 Mall Gets Second Notice From BMC To Hand Over Land For Development In Kandivali

MahaRERA Is The Only Regulator In India To Recover Compensation Of ₹125 Crore In Just 14 Months

MahaRERA Is The Only Regulator In India To Recover Compensation Of ₹125 Crore In Just 14 Months

Mumbai: Massive Fire Breaks Out At Vardaman Garment Shop In Malad East; No Casualties

Mumbai: Massive Fire Breaks Out At Vardaman Garment Shop In Malad East; No Casualties