Maharashtra BJP unit sees a game changer in Modi

However, Shiv Sena down plays it saying its an internal issue of BJP

Narendra Modi's appointment as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s campaign committee chief will become a game changer in Maharashtra politics as the Gujarat chief minister could strengthen the saffron alliance, say party leaders in the state.

BJP and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leaders in the state say Modi, who will campaign extensively in Maharashtra, could help bring together the warring cousins, Uddhav Thackeray of the Shiv Sena and Raj Thackeray of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) to forge a "Maha Yuti" (Grand Alliance).

The BJP-Sena alliance has roped in the Republican Party of India (RPI) to take on the Congress-National Congress Party (NCP) alliance in the state for the ensuing parliamentary and assembly elections.

Maharashtra, which has 48 Lok Sabha seats, is an important state for both the Congress and BJP, the leading national parties.

"Modi's appointment has given a major boost to the BJP-Shiv Sena-RPI alliance to unitedly fight against the corrupt and inactive ruling Congress-NCP alliance and win more seats in the Lok Sabha elections and thereafter, unseat them in the assembly elections," Vinod Tawde, BJP's leader of opposition in the state council, who was at Goa to attend the party's national executive, told Business Standard.

“Modi's development agenda appeals to the voters, who are looking for a change in Maharashtra,” Tawde said. On roping in MNS to form a grand alliance, the BJP leader said it was up to Raj Thackeay to take a call. "However, Modi's development agenda attracts Raj Thackeray who is also preparing his own blue print for Maharashtra's development."  

Jayavantiben Mehta, former union minster and an RSS leader, shared Tawde's views. She said: "Modi is a charismatic leader and he has an appeal in cross sections. His leadership will certainly benefit the BJP- Sena-RPI alliance in a big way in Maharashtra."

Incidentally, the Sena has played down Modi's appointment, saying it was BJP's internal issue. "However,  party chief Uddhav Thackeray has already called for convening an NDA (National Democratic Alliance) meeting to decide the prime minister candidate," said Subhash Desai, the Shiv Sena group leader in the state assembly. Asked whether Modi will cement ties between the Sena and MNS, Desai noted the issue was discussed at the BJP's national executive in Goa.

Modi's appointment comes at a time when recent pre-poll surveys have suggested the BJP-Shiv Sena-RPI alliance would bag 28 of the total 48 seats in the coming Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra.