BJP’s historic Hanuman jump in Maharashtra

By Japan K Pathak, Ahmedabad, 19 October 2014

BJP has made a Hanuman jump in Maharashtra and Haryana both states. Following are the figures of seats won by BJP and Shiv Sena since 1985. While BJP has performed at its historic best and has increased its seats by double and half compared to previous assembly elections(2009), Shiv Sena is not at its best(its best was in 1995 with victory over 73 seats), but little up since last assembly elections. BJP never got chance to contest more than 120+ seats(out of total 288) as its partner Shiv Sena would contest on about 175 seats regularly leaving lower number of share of seats for BJP. In 2014, BJP has been able to contest all 288 seats and has increased its seats by double and half as per the trends. In fact BJP is winning more seats that it contested in past. It seems, while Shiv Sena has retained its support, it has not been able to take advantage of wider canvas it got due to break in alliance with BJP. Both parties when contested Lok Sabha general elections together this year won majority vote in over 240 assembly segments(out of total 288). If both parties had contested together they could win almost similar number of seats in the assembly polls too. While BJP was hoping to get clear majority(upside target), its ‘B’ plan was to emerge as the single largest party with condition that the gap between the BJP and the party on second number must be too wide. This to confirm, that there’s no claim by other party over the issue of post of Chief Minister.

History of victory of seats:
Shiv Sena; BJP
2014: 62; 119 (trend/result at 4.00 pm)
2009: 45; 46
2004: 62; 54
1999: 69; 56
1995: 73; 65
1990: 52; 42
1985: — ;16