Maharashtra Election Results 2024: Robin Sharma on Ladki Behen and more.

New Delhi:

Robin Sharma, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s campaign strategist, told NDTV today that the Lok Sabha election results had spurred them to spruce up their act and get governance and messaging about it in place before the Assembly elections were announced.

“The fear of loss motivated us to work hard, make course corrections and do whatever it took to get the alliance back on track,” he told NDTV in an exclusive interview. It left no room for complacency and also ensured that the ruling alliance had dealt with the tough issues as the MVA tussled over the seat share and the crucial question of who would become the chief minister.

Accordingly, “We were ahead of MVA in terms of planning, preparedness, candidates, campaign strategy,” he said.

He attributed the victory to the role played by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, saying it was all about his hard work. He rolled out campaigns that really benefited people. He also campaigned in seats where BJP and Shiv Sena contested, to ensure that their alliance is properly recognized by people”.

Asked if Ladki Behen proved to be the X-factor for the ruling alliance’s landslide win, he said, “Definitely… it put a stain on the campaign”.

“This is because Ladki Behen was not just an announcement, they got Rs 7,500 in their account during some big festival,” he said.

“We’ve seen the data about how these women have started spending this money on themselves, taking care of themselves. Especially women who suffer from anemia. Engagement in school has increased and they’ve started saving money for themselves… So there is a great trust that we will deliver,” he said.

“This is the first time women got such money in Maharashtra. So it has definitely helped us,” he added.

The Mahayuthi — the ruling alliance between Shinde’s Sena, Ajit Pawar’s faction of the Nationalist Congress Party and the BJP — is ahead in 236 of Maharashtra’s 288 seats.

The opposition MVA – the Shiv Sena faction of Uddhav Thackeray, Sharad Pawar’s faction of the Nationalist Congress Party and the Congress – is ahead with just 48 seats.