Mahayuti Set to Secure 160 Seats, Claims Chandrakant Patil
Pune: Chandrakant Patil expressed optimism about the Mahayuti alliance securing 160 seats under the symbols of Kamal (lotus), Dhanushyaban (bow and arrow), and Ghadial (clock). Speaking on the developmental efforts of the government, Patil stated, “We work for the 13 crore people of Maharashtra, and this will undoubtedly benefit us. The winds of change have started blowing across the country, prioritizing research and education. Public support is vital for such initiatives, and elections are the medium to secure it. A double-engine government in the state would accelerate development exponentially.”
Highlighting progress in the automobile sector, he said, “India’s automobile turnover has reached ₹22 lakh crore, making it the third largest globally. Within the next five years, India is expected to surpass China to become the second largest in this sector.”
Patil also pointed out the inclusive policies implemented by the BJP-led NDA government at the center and the MahaYuti government in the state. “Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, many direct benefit schemes have been launched without any discrimination based on caste or religion. However, during elections, certain groups issue fatwas. When Congress and NCP used people merely as a vote bank and abandoned them afterward, why weren’t there similar fatwas against them?”
Addressing a question, he elaborated, “Farmers have benefited from subsidies on agricultural pump electricity bills and financial aid programs. Similarly, schemes like Ladki Bahan were implemented without discrimination. Women traveling on half-tickets in ST buses or girls receiving free undergraduate and postgraduate education weren’t asked about their caste or religion. How can we be called communal?”
On Pune’s development, Patil remarked, “Since Narendra Modi came to power, Pune has seen rapid progress. The underground metro in Kasba is operational, and metro expansion in the city is ongoing. Previously, the city’s bus system was inadequate, but now, 1,500 air-conditioned electric buses have been added to the PMPML fleet. Efforts using AI have been made to streamline traffic. Projects like the ring road and two-tier roads have received ₹54,000 crore from Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. Additionally, ₹2,000 crore has been allocated for the beautification of river projects.”
On MahaYuti’s prospects, Patil cited examples from Haryana’s assembly elections and Lok Sabha results. “In the Lok Sabha elections, MahaYuti won 17 seats, and in 10 seats, we lost by narrow margins of 5,000 to 23,000 votes. If we had won these, we would’ve secured 27 seats, reducing Mahavikas Aghadi’s tally from 31 to 21. In 130 assembly constituencies, MahaYuti is leading. Not winning these seats doesn’t mean we are falling behind.”
