Veteran politician Sharad Pawar surprised many by crediting the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for the BJP’s resounding victory in the 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections. Pawar, who leads the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-Sharad Pawar faction), praised the RSS’s meticulous methodology and aggressive Hindutva campaigning as the key factors behind the BJP’s success.

The BJP secured 132 out of 149 seats in the November 2024 elections, becoming the single-largest party in Maharashtra. The INDIA bloc, which includes Pawar’s party, faced a massive setback, reversing its gains from the Lok Sabha elections held earlier in the year.

Pawar’s Analysis of BJP’s Victory

While addressing party workers in Mumbai, Pawar emphasized how the BJP capitalized on grassroots efforts spearheaded by the RSS. He highlighted the BJP’s ability to secure the trust of its core Other Backward Classes (OBCs) vote bank by introducing 17 new state-run corporations.

He also noted that the NCP (SP) became complacent after its Lok Sabha successes, unlike the BJP, which worked tirelessly by announcing popular schemes and implementing impactful decisions.

Congress’s Historical Comeback: A Lesson for NCP

To inspire his party workers, Pawar recalled the Congress party’s remarkable recovery in Maharashtra after its wipeout in 1957. The Congress went on to secure major victories in the 1962 and 1977 elections, demonstrating how political resilience can lead to long-term success.

NCP’s Future Strategy: Empowering Women and Grassroots Workers

Pawar unveiled a new roadmap for the NCP (SP) to regain its footing:

• 50% of seats for women: In the upcoming local body elections, the party plans to reserve half the seats for women from humble backgrounds.
• Promotions for grassroots workers: The party aims to elevate dedicated ground-level workers to leadership roles at local, state, and national levels.

Pawar’s Praise for RSS Sparks Reactions

Pawar’s unexpected acknowledgment of the RSS’s role has raised eyebrows, marking a significant shift in his stance. By recognizing the RSS’s grassroots approach, Pawar has signaled the need for a similar strategy within his party.

As the NCP (SP) prepares for future elections, its success will depend on how effectively it implements these new strategies to counter the BJP’s dominance in Maharashtra.

Key Takeaways

• RSS’s grassroots work and Hindutva agenda were crucial to BJP’s victory.
• Pawar criticized complacency within the NCP (SP) after Lok Sabha wins.
• Future plans focus on women’s empowerment and promoting ground-level workers.

Sharad Pawar’s remarks have added a new dimension to Maharashtra’s political landscape, making the NCP (SP)’s next moves highly anticipated.