Mumbai: Even though there are speculations over early Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, the polls will be held as per schedule in May and October 2019 respectively. However, if the Shiv Sena quits the government before the Lok Sabha elections, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis would prefer early Assembly polls with the Lok Sabha polls. He discussed all possibilities and strategies with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah on Tuesday in Delhi.
PM Modi and Amit Shah discussed poll strategies with the BJP-ruled Maharahstra's chief ministers and deputy CMs in New Delhi on Tuesday. They took a review of the Union government's schemes, requirements or initiatives expected from the state governments before elections and political situation in the each state.
The three discussed whether early Lok Sabha polls with the Assembly elections would help the BJP, said sources. CM Fadnavis is not in the favour of holding Lok Sabha and Assembly elections together, though PM Modi and Shah want it that way. If the party decides on it, he would be in agreement. However, if the Lok Sabha elections are held early, then it would be difficult for him. Maharashtra is an important state after Uttar Pradesh for Lok Sabha seats and the BJP-Shiv Sena mega-alliance got 42 seats in the 2014 elections out of 48. Now, if Shiv Sena decides to go solo it would be difficult for the BJP. If the BJP does not get sufficient seats in the Lok Sabha elections from Maharashtra, the NDA may not win a majority. If both elections are held together, the alliance with Shiv Sena would not be possible, said a senior leader. For the Assembly elections, the BJP would have a tough fight with the Shiv Sena and simultaneous elections would shift the focus from the Assembly elections.
