Maharashtra polls: Severing of alliance revives old poll planks

Shiv Sena set to revert to Marathi Asmitha, while BJP will turn to development agenda

Even though Shiv Sena and BJP are formally divorced, they have one thing in common to target the Congress-NCP government in Maharashtra on the issue of corruption, irregularities and Maharashtra losing its pre-eminent position in attracting investments.

Shiv Sena proposes to reach out to the voters with an appeal to dislodge the corrupt Congress-NCP government by supporting the cause of Asmita (pride) of Marathi Manoos and Maharashtra in general.

Besides, the saffron party is geared up to sell its vision Maharashtra advocating an overall development of the state and its citizens.

The underline message will be Maharashtra has lost its glory during the Congress-NCP government and Shiv Sena is suitable alternate to assume power to regain that lost glory.

Shiv Sena has already launched advertisement campaign recalling party supremo late Bal Thackeray's legacy and also his son and party president Uddhav Thackeray's pro-development vision.

On the other hand, BJP, which was at forefront to expose various scams including the multi crore irrigation scam, fodder scam, irregularities in recruitment in government jobs, is determined to corner Congress and NCP on this front.

BJP will appeal to the voters to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ''sabka saath sabka vikas'' mantra. BJP plans to largely focus on development plank without playing up controversial issues including Hindutva, Love Jihad or Ram Temple issue.

BJP is also not behind in putting up posters across Greater Mumbai featuring Modi. BJP wants to cash in on the Modi wave and especially various achievements of the NDA government in the filed of economy, agriculture, foreign relations.

Shiv Sena and BJP insiders admit that both the parties will make all out efforts to exploit charisma of their respective Hindu Hrudaysamrats Bal Thackeray and Narendra Modi respectively to get votes.

Meanwhile, Congress is geared up to launch media blitzkreig focusing slew of development projects implemented by the state government. The party will prominently focus on projecting its secular credentials arguing that it will be suitably placed to take on communal forces in Maharashtra. This apart, chief minister Prithviraj Chavan's clean image will be another plank the party is banking on heavily.

As far as NCP is concerned, party chief Sharad Pawar will be party's USP.

''Pawar's contribution for women empowerment, loan waiver to farmers, his push for increase in agricultural production in the country will be played up during the poll campaign. Besides, NCP will be offensive to counter corruption allegations against the party's ministers,'' a senior party minister told Business Standard.

He added NCP will also explain party's growth agenda for Maharashtra.

Interestingly, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, which has taken a decision to go solo in the assembly poll, plans to aggressively take up party's blue print for the state released on Thursday by chief Raj Thackeray.