Mumbai: Union Minister Piyush Goyal, addressing recent political developments in Maharashtra and Haryana, voiced optimism about the BJP’s chances despite setbacks suggested by recent exit polls. Speaking at the ‘Tau ne jitaya, bhaun bhi jitayenge?’ session of the TV9 Satta Sammelan in Mumbai, Goyal defended the progress under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, noting that while BJP narrowly lost Maharashtra’s last election by a margin of just 20,000 votes, he said that he anticipates greater voter turnout this time.
“Under PM Modi’s leadership, India has firmly committed to a path of progress and development,” Goyal stated. “The BJP’s minor loss last time, by around 20-25,000 votes, was influenced by factors like low voter turnout in Maharashtra due to hot weather, lack of holidays and rural migration. But I am confident people will vote with increased passion, backing the public welfare and development initiatives introduced by the central and Mahayuti government.”
Goyal slams MVA’s tenure
In Maharashtra, where the BJP-Shiv Sena coalition (Mahayuti) faces competition from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, Goyal criticised the MVA’s tenure. He said that while the coalition ran the government for two and a half years, the administration was plagued by mismanagement. “The MVA became ‘Maha Vinash Agadhi,’ pushing Maharashtra backward,” he said. Goyal said that since Mahayuti’s return, the state’s development pace has accelerated, citing projects such as coastal roads, Atal Setu, expanded metro lines and improved sewage treatment in Mumbai.
Goyal criticises dynasty politics
Responding to the ongoing political flux in Maharashtra, Goyal said that political parties are governed by principles, not family legacies. He blamed the Thackeray family for Shiv Sena’s fragmentation, saying , “If a family views the party as their personal asset, it’s bound to fail.” According to Goyal, key leaders from the Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have realigned with BJP out of allegiance to public welfare over personal gain.
