THE REVDIS HAVE WON

SURREAL BJP TRIUMPH | The Mahayuti Ladki Bahin scheme wins over homemakers and daily wagers, leaving the opposition in tatters. Ajit Pawar delivers a stunning blow to Sharad Pawar's NCP. Congress loses the Leader of the Opposition post in the state assembly. Shinde sheds his stooge image, emerging stronger against Thackerays

- Ketan Narottam Tanna

Maharashtra's elections results have left political pundits scratching their heads and opposition leaders clutching their pearls. For the BJP-led Mahayuti it was a symphony of votes, perfectly orchestrated.

For the Congress and the Shiv Sena factions, it was a dirge played on a broken sitar. As WhatsApp groups buzz with theories and party offices fumble for answers, one question looms large: how did the BJP turn Maharashtra into its latest trophy state? Was it cash, caste, or campaigns? Perhaps a bit of all three, garnished with RSS seasoning and a dollop of opposition ineptitude. Uddhav Thackeray, visibly disoriented after his coalition's dismal performance, spoke aloud, "What magic wand did they wave?" Sanjay Raut, his perpetual sidekick, added. "Kuch toh gadbadhai," reinforcing the notion that if politics doesn't work out, he has a future in melodrama.

The Mahayuti didn't just win Maharashtra; it bulldozed its way to a near-majority in the 288-seat assembly, leaving its rivals gasping for relevance.