Smarts match

Assembly Elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand

• The BJP, Congress, and regional parties face a test in the upcoming assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand.
• The political landscape in Maharashtra has been significantly reshaped since the 2019 election.
• The ruling Mahayuti, which BJP is part of, won 17 out of 48 seats in the 2024 general election.
• The Congress has toned down its hype in Maharashtra and appointed senior leaders to oversee the campaign.
• The JMM-led ruling alliance in Jharkhand and the Mahayuti are betting on women voters to ensure another term.
• The BJP campaign in Jharkhand is built on corruption allegations against State Chief Minister Hemant Soren and demographic shifts attributed to alleged entry of people from Bangladesh.
• The BJP’s focus is on consolidating Hindus among the non-tribal population, a strategy that worked in Haryana.
• The Congress and its regional allies are at risk of being overdependent on Marathas in Maharashtra and tribespeople in Jharkhand.