Maharashtra assembly election results 2019: BJP-Shiv Sena set to form govt but fall short of their projected target

After the landslide victory in Indian general elections, BJP entered the electoral contest with a lot of confidence.

Both Maharashtra and Haryana were already being ruled by the BJP but the election results threw a surprise for the largest party in the country.

First, let's take a look at Maharashtra. The contest was for 288 seats. 

The Maharashtra assembly has 289 seats — but one seat is reserved for a nominated member. 

The magic number for Maharashtra is 144. BJP has won 104 seats as compared to 122 in 2014 elections. A dip of 18 seats.

While its alliance partner Shiv Sena also lost 7 seats as compared to 2014. Last time they had won 63 seats. While this time their tally was at 56.

The incumbent alliance is set to form the govt again. But the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance has underperformed in the state. They have fallen short of their target of 220 seats.

Congress and NCP had joined hands for the elections. And the decision has paid well for them.

Especially for Sharad Pawar, his beleaguered party has managed to slow the saffron march in the state.

NCP gained 13 seats. As compared to 41 in 2014. Pawar's party got 54 seats this time.

While congress to benefit from the alliance. They won 45 seats this time As compared to 42 in the last elections. A gain of 3 seats.

Ministers bite dust

Even though Sena and BJP are set to form the government, 7 of their sitting minister have been defeated. 

Topping the chart is Pankaja Munde. She has lost from the parliament constituency of Maharashtra. 

She is the daughter of late BJP veteran — Gopinath Munde. She is also the state's rural development, and women and child welfare minister.

Another interesting detail is that BJP did not benefit from the Shiv Sena alliance. When BJP went alone in 2014, it got seats in triple numbers and with the alliance, the party got confined to double-digit. The alliance did not work well for BJP in 2019.