Voting for all seven phases of the Lok Sabha elections nationwide concluded on Saturday. Exit polls indicate that the NDA is likely to secure a clear majority, despite the ambitious claim of 400 seats made by BJP leaders. While the prediction suggests that BJP will have the necessary majority to form the government, the grand alliance led by BJP is expected to face significant setbacks in Maharashtra.
Consequently, conflicting statements and accusations have emerged in the state. Chandrakant Patil, a leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party, disputes the exit poll figures for Maharashtra, asserting that the grand alliance will secure more seats than projected on June 4. Conversely, Eknath Khadse, who had expressed his desire to join BJP before the elections, criticized the party.
Khadse claimed that BJP has been adversely affected by the politics of violence in the state. When questioned about the impact of violence on BJP, Eknath Khadse affirmed that the party is bearing the consequences of the turbulent political environment in Maharashtra.
He highlighted voter rejection of violent politics across the state, citing Ajit Pawar's shift to NCP, Uddhav Thackeray's party supporting Eknath Shinde, and the alleged extortion tactics affecting the party's internal dynamics. Khadse also speculated on the electoral prospects of Ajit Pawar, Eknath Shinde, and Sharad Pawar, suggesting potential outcomes for the upcoming election.