A significant development ahead of the Lok Sabha elections is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s impending visit to Satara, a bastion of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Maharashtra. Modi is scheduled to receive the prestigious Shiv Samman Puraskar on February 19, which is also the anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji’s birth. The occasion is very important politically because it is being attended by Rajya Sabha MP Udayan Raje Bhosale, who is a direct grandson of Shivaji.
The BJP’s interest in Satara, a seat that it has never been able to win, highlights its desire to increase the size of its support base in Maharashtra. Given his political influence in the area, there are many rumours that Bhosale would run for office. Even though Bhosale lost the 2019 election, his association with the BJP is indicative of the party’s cunning methods.
PM Modi’s visit follows his recent engagements in Maharashtra, emphasising the state’s importance in the BJP’s electoral calculus. With Maharashtra sending a substantial number of MPs to the Lok Sabha, Modi’s visit underscores the BJP’s efforts to consolidate its position in the state. Satara’s historical political dynamics and BJP’s growing influence in the region add intrigue to Modi’s forthcoming visit, sparking anticipation among political observers regarding its potential implications on Maharashtra’s electoral landscape.
