Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said the BJP countered the ‘vote jihad’ narrative with the spiritual backing of saints during the 2024 assembly elections. He credited social unity and the support of seers for the Mahayuti alliance’s sweeping win, after the BJP-led NDA faced setbacks in the Lok Sabha polls.
CM Fadnavis. Image/File Pic
Amid all the chaos happening across the state, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday stated that the BJP countered the "vote jihad" narrative with the "spiritual power" of saints, which catapulted the Mahayuti alliance to power in the 2024 assembly elections.
While addressing a religious function organised by Ramgiri Maharaj in Vaijapur taluka of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis suggested that social engineering played a key role in the landslide victory, as per news agency PTI.
Earlier, during the Maharashtra Assembly elections, the BJP won 132 of 288 seats before announcing Devendra Fadnavis as the Chief Minister of the state. Meanwhile, allies Shiv Sena and NCP added 57 and 41 constituencies, respectively, to the saffron tally.
While addressing the ‘vote jihad’ system, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, "During Lok Sabha elections (conducted in May 2024), a vote jihad experiment was conducted (by some parties) with an ulterior motive to defeat the nationalist ideology, leading to polarisation," as cited by news agency PTI.
The BJP-led NDA was humbled by the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in the Lok Sabha elections, with the Opposition bloc cornering 30 seats. During his address in Vaijapur taluka of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, Devendra Fadnavis also reflected on the strategy adopted by Mahayuti during the assembly polls.
He further asserted, "We turned to spiritual leaders and told them that 'vote jihad' is an attack on our culture. If it is allowed unchecked, attacks on Hindu temples might quietly revive. Power is not permanent, but the country and religion should remain immortal," as cited by news agency PTI.
Adding to that, the BJP leader also said, “Realising the threat, seers and spiritual leaders appealed to the common people to unite irrespective of their castes.”
"This power of saints helped us in the field (at hustings), ensuring a huge victory (for Mahayuti)," he added.
As reported by PTI, the chief minister reiterated the state government's commitment to construct a barrage in the Shani-Devgaon area. He said the Sarla Bet (islet) on the Godavari River will be developed, and a Rs 109 crore plan will be sanctioned soon.
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