Elections 2019: Why BJP-Sena combine may have the upper hand in Maharashtra

The western state shows that what you do in politics matters more than what you say

Amit Shah, Uddhav Thackeray, Devendra Fadnavis

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BJP President Amit Shah, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis meets Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray at the latter's residence. (Photo: Kamlesh Pednekar)

Aditi Phadnis New Delhi

4 min read Last Updated : Mar 21 2019 | 8:41 PM IST

If there is a state where the electoral picture is completely blurred, it is Maharashtra. With 48 seats (50 if you count the two in Goa) this western state is carved into so many enclaves, feudal principalities and caste interests that it is hard to predict if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-Shiv Sena (SS) combine will do well or not. In 2019, the two had contested together and had won 42 out of 48 seats (23+18). In the assembly elections, they contested separately. The Sena’s animus against the BJP, leading up to present day when the two have teamed up