NEW DELHI: As Maharashtra awaits the assembly election results on November 23, The New Team discussed election issues in the Mumbai local train and found a wave of support for the BJP and the current Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde. “He has done a good job and I would like to see more of his work in the future,” says a woman from Nashik, traveling to Churchgate.
While women passengers initially supported Congress, they later switched their support when asked about Eknath Shinde, who has been the Chief Minister of Maharashtra since June 30, 2022. “If we talk about his work, the Ladki Bahin Yojana and the financial assistance given to girls for education are good initiatives.” On the issue of farmers’ disappointment, she said, “Farmers in Nashik are disappointed because they are not getting compensation. Still, the larger sentiment in the region supports the BJP.”
Another passenger from Bhayandar also said the BJP should come to power. When asked who should be the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra, she replied, “Either Eknath Shinde or someone from the BJP should take the position.” From the Mira Bhayandar constituency, BJP’s Narendra Mehta is winning the trust of the people. “Last time we gave the chance to Geeta Jain, but she didn’t do much work. So this time, people are keeping faith in Narendra Mehta.”
In the 2019 assembly polls, the BJP fielded Narendra Mehta from the seat. At that time, Jain rebelled and contested as an independent, winning the elections as a sitting independent MLA.