Resort politics begin as Congress moves MLAs to Karnataka & Telangana ahead of Maharashtra results

As Maharashtra's vote counting nears, the Congress party is implementing extensive measures to secure its winning MLAs amid the high-stakes election outcome. With the fear of defections by rival parties, Congress has planned to move its MLAs to Karnataka or Telangana, where the party holds power. These states have been selected due to their stable political environment and the Congress’ control, offering a safer location for the lawmakers to stay after the results are declared.

To ensure swift movement, the Congress party has arranged three chartered planes, which will be kept on standby to transport the winning MLAs immediately after the counting process. In addition to the planes, several hotels and resorts in Karnataka and Telangana have been booked in advance to accommodate the MLAs. This step is being taken as a precautionary measure to avoid the type of defections seen in previous elections, such as in Goa and Madhya Pradesh, when BJP successfully broke away Congress MLAs and formed alternate governments with their support.

Sources close to the party confirmed that the Congress is determined to keep its MLAs together in order to prevent a repeat of the scenarios witnessed in states like Goa, where defections led to a shift in power. "We are taking every measure to ensure there is no repeat of what happened in Goa and Madhya Pradesh," a Congress source stated. These strategies include logistical planning for transporting and securing the MLAs in safe locations until the final election results are out.

Within the state, Congress’ position has remained relatively stable in comparison to its coalition partners in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) and Sharad Pawar’s NCP have both experienced significant internal rifts, weakening their influence. The Congress, however, has managed to keep its ranks intact, making its unity a focal point for the party’s pre-election strategies. The party’s preparedness and strict measures are being implemented in light of these developments.

Exit polls predict a win for the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, with estimates placing their seat count at 158, surpassing the majority mark in the 288-member Maharashtra assembly. The MVA coalition, which includes Congress, NCP, and Shiv Sena (UBT), is projected to win between 90-120 seats. This suggests a significant gap in the numbers, reinforcing the Congress' need to maintain a strong presence within its alliance. The final seat count will likely dictate the leadership formation and post-poll arrangements.

Regarding the Chief Ministerial candidate, the BJP has refrained from announcing a nominee ahead of the results, leaving the decision to be made after the counting concludes. BJP leaders have stated that the decision will be made collectively among the Mahayuti alliance partners. Potential frontrunners include Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde, but sources indicate that the BJP could spring a surprise, as the party has a history of unexpected leadership selections after major electoral wins. The final decision on the CM will likely depend on seat distribution and party negotiations post-results.