Nagpur: Just like the road to Delhi's seat of power runs through Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), no political party can conquer Maharashtra's throne without wresting Vidarbha. And this was again proved true on Saturday with BJP-led Mahayuti coalition, comprising BJP, Shiv Sena and the Ajit Pawar-led faction of NCP, bagging 47 of 62 assembly seats from the region, leaving Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) with only 13 — a stark reflection of BJP's dominance in the region. BJP contested on 149 seats in Maharashtra, and 33% of those were in Vidarbha. Congress went further and bet more on Vidarbha, by fielding 40% of their total 102 candidates from the region. And while Vidarbha proved to be the nemesis for the grand old party, the saffron brigade won a landslide.
BJP Consolidates Its Stronghold in Vidarbha
BJP achieved a significant milestone in this election, securing 37 seats in Vidarbha — seven more than its tally in the 2019 elections. This marks a new record for the party in the region, further solidifying its stronghold. If BJP insiders are to be believed, Vidarbha is likely to provide Maharashtra with its chief minister for the fourth time in the form of Devendra Fadnavis after Vasantrao and Sudhakarrao Naik. The party's exceptional performance statewide, winning 133 seats — its best-ever tally since it began contesting in Maharashtra — underscores the effectiveness of its leadership and campaign strategy.
Shiv Sena and NCP Factions Hold Ground
The Sena under Eknath Shinde, maintained its consistency by winning four seats in Vidarbha, mirroring its performance in both 2014 and 2019 elections when it was an undivided party. Meanwhile, the Ajit Pawar-led faction of NCP made a strong debut in Vidarbha, securing six seats. This performance matched the undivided NCP's tally of six in the 2019 elections and significantly outperformed its lone win in 2014.
Congress Faces Devastating Losses
For Congress, Vidarbha turned out to be a battleground of diminishing returns. The region was a party's bastion for over six decades. The party's dismal performance in 2024, with just 10 seats, marks its second-worst showing in the region since 1962. In 2014 elections, held in the shadow of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first wave, Congress managed 10 seats. In 2019, the party improved slightly, winning 15 seats. In 2024, however, the tide reversed sharply, leaving Congress with minimal ground to stand on in Vidarbha.
Congress ally, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, won four seats this time, but failed to make a substantial impact. Sharad Pawar's NCP faction did not secure a single seat in its regional debut, reflecting MVA's inability to make inroads against the Mahayuti's might.
Vidarbha's Role in Maharashtra Politics
Vidarbha's electoral significance cannot be overstated. The region has consistently played a pivotal role in shaping Maharashtra's govt, particularly with BJP's stronghold over its urban and rural constituencies. This year's results have only cemented Vidarbha's status as the power centre for the BJP-led Mahayuti coalition. BJP's focus on regional development, coupled with welfare schemes targeted at farmers, youth, and women, resonated deeply with Vidarbha's voters. Initiatives such as improved irrigation infrastructure, industrial corridors, and healthcare outreach helped the party consolidate its support base, even in areas where opposition parties once held sway.
With Vidarbha delivering a decisive mandate, the BJP-led Mahayuti coalition now stands on firm ground to form a stable govt in Maharashtra. Devendra Fadnavis's likely elevation as Chief Minister for a third term reflects the region's continued dominance in state politics. Meanwhile, the Congress-led MVA faces an uphill battle to rebuild its presence in Vidarbha and beyond. For now, Vidarbha has proven once again that its voice is critical in determining the political trajectory of Maharashtra, solidifying the BJP's position as the dominant force in the state.
All major BJP leaders in Vidarbha won their seats with impressive margins. Devendra Fadnavis, the Deputy Chief Minister, retained his seat comfortably, further bolstering his position as the face of the party in Maharashtra. Chandrashekar Bawankule, BJP's state president, achieved a resounding victory, reinforcing the party's grassroots strength in the region. Sudhir Mungantiwar, the state's forest minister, also won convincingly, adding to the BJP's robust showing.
Congress's Narrow Survival
Nana Patole, the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president, barely retained his seat in Sakoli, eking out a narrow victory by just 208 votes. Vijay Wadettiwar, the Leader of Opposition in the outgoing assembly, offered a rare bright spot for Congress, winning his constituency with a comfortable margin of 14,000 votes.
# Performance of major parties in Vidarbha in assembly polls
Year -----Total seats ------- BJP -----Shiv Sena ----NCP -----Cong ------SS (UBT) ----- NCP-SP
2024 --------62 --------------37 --------4 ---------——-6 ————9 —————4 -----------00
2019 --------62 --------------29 --------4 ---------——-6 ————15 ————NA -----------NA
2014 --------62 --------------44 --------4 —————-1 ————10 ————NA ---------- NA