Why does BJP want to do an alliance with Shiv Sena for upcoming Lok Sabha polls?

Since 2014, BJP has been winning one state after the another. Of the 29 states in the country, they are in power in 21 of them. The charisma of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visible everywhere.

Recently, BJP president Amit Shah had said that his party will rule the country for next 50 years. Many opinion polls have also suggested that the BJP-led NDA will return to power in 2019.

If all these predictions are true, and the magic of Modi is still exists, then why does BJP want to do an alliance with Shiv Sena? Why is BJP ready to bend in front of Uddhav Thackeray for an alliance? Is it because of the old friendship or saffron ideology or compulsion?

To get an answer to this question, we have to go through some important recent events -- agitations, dalits and unemployment movements -- which has caused serious damage to BJP's image in the state. In Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis' government is facing a serious challenge from the Congress and NCP. 

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Why is Maharashtra important for BJP?

With 80 seats, Uttar Pradesh has the maximum numbers of Lok Sabha seats. After UP, Maharashtra is the second largest state with 48 seats. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, BJP, in an alliance with Shiv Sena, had won 42 seats, restricting their rival Congress to just 2 seats. 

Along with other states, if BJP manages to repeat its performance in Maharashtra in the next general election, then it would be a cakewalk for them to gain power at the centre. But this time, the political situation and social equations of Maharashtra are completely different.   

Why BJP is under pressure in Maharashtra?

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray had announced that his party will contest the upcoming elections on their own. A break up of alliance with BJP means division in traditional saffron vote bank, which will ultimately benefits Congress and NCP.

Apart from this, to halt the juggernaut of BJP, Congress is in the process of forming a grand alliance of 10 small and big political parties of Maharashtra. With the help of NCP chief Sharad Pawar, they have already managed to convince five parties so far. 

BJP is fully aware that this time, it would be difficult for them to repeat performance of 2014 in Maharashtra. Congress led 'Mahagathabandhan' and Shiv Sena have the power to dent the chances of BJP to win good number of seats from the state. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had himself said that 'if Shiv Sena and BJP will fight election separately, then Congress will gain from it'.

The statement of Fadnavis gives clear indication that how much the BJP is terrified with the current situation. To stop Congress, they have gone ahead with Fadnavis' willingness to form an alliance with Sena. Now, it’s up to Shiv Sena to take a call on the alliance. In Bihar, BJP were successful in convincing Nitesh Kumar. Will they be able to convince Uddhav as well, only time will tell?   

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