Maharashtra: Modi's marathon meetings to influence voters?

Even after the split between the two major parties in the state, matching the victory in the last Lok Sabha has become a challenge, and the Grand Alliance has emphasised on making the most of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's influence. In Maharashtra, which has the largest number of Lok Sabha seats after Uttar Pradesh, Modi has held five meetings in the first two phases and seven more meetings are planned in the next four days. More meetings will be added in the later two phases and there has been a significant increase in Modi's meetings compared to last time.

Lok Sabha polls will be held in Maharashtra in five phases. In the first phase, Modi held public meetings in Chandrapur, Kanhan near Nagpur and Wardha. In the second phase, Modi's meetings were held in Nanded and Parbhani. Modi's Maharashtra tour is starting again from Saturday after the second phase of voting was held on Friday. Modi will hold a meeting in Kolhapur on April 27. Meetings will be held in Solapur, Satara and Pune constituencies on April 29. Preparations have been made for a 'road show' in Pune. On April 30, meetings are planned to be held at Malshiras, Dharashiv and Latur. In these three days, BJP is planning to cast Modi's 'charm' on the voters of nearly ten constituencies in the state.

In the fourth phase, meetings are planned in Nagar, Jalgaon, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. In the final fifth phase, preparations have started for holding a big public meeting in Mumbai. A joint meeting of Mahayuti will be held for Nashik and Dindori constituencies. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has held five public meetings in the state so far.

There have been drastic changes in the political situation in the state in the last five years. Analysts say that even after the successful strategy of dividing Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress parties to thwart the experiment of Maha Vikas Aghadi, BJP has not been able to take much political advantage of it. On the other hand, Mahayuti fears that the strength of the past in Maharashtra will decrease due to insurgency and hostile environment in rural areas. Sources say that a maximum number of Modi's meetings are being organised to bring this election, which revolves around state-level issues, to national-level issues.

What is the maximum meeting for?

• Mahayuti aims to win 45 seats in Maharashtra which has the highest number of 48 seats after Uttar Pradesh. Planning more meetings of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah for that.
• Demand of Modi's meeting from every candidate of Mahayuti. Therefore, meetings are planned for two-three constituencies together. 
• Intention to break the sympathy towards Mahavikas Aghadi.