The BJP secured an unexpected victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, defying predictions in a tribal-dominant state. However, in Jharkhand, the tide shifted as Hemant Soren, despite his legal challenges, along with his dynamic and determined wife, led a spirited campaign that significantly altered the political landscape. The Jharkhand elections saw a decisive victory for the JMM, forming an alliance with the Congress to solidify its hold on power. Notably, the rise of student leader-turned-politician Jairam Mahto has added fresh momentum to the Mahto reservation demand, promising new dimensions to state politics. While the BJP garnered the largest vote share at 33.18%, underscoring its broad support base, the JMM followed with 23.44%, showcasing its robust regional clout. The Congress, with 15.56%, retained its relevance as a key ally by holding on to its 16 seats, though it played second fiddle to the dominant regional players.

In general, and particularly in Jharkhand, the issue of unemployment heavily emphasized by the Congress during the Lok Sabha elections failed to gain traction in the Assembly elections. In Jharkhand, the focus on women-centric schemes, modelled after those in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, combined with promises of increased monetary benefits if retained in power, appeared more as a tactic to lure voters rather than addressing systemic issues like education, skill development, or employability. Such strategies, while popular, raised questions about their ethicality and long-term impact. In local elections, voters often prioritize leaders with a finger on the pulse of the state rather than those preaching lofty ideologies. Yet, the BJP's campaign narrative, rooted in the rhetoric of “outsiders” and “infiltrators” in the Santhal region, failed to strike a chord. This was largely because the cultural fabric of Jharkhand is a tapestry of tribal and non-tribal communities, many of whom are migrants themselves and have coexisted for generations. The BJP's misstep was akin to barking up the wrong tree, as the deeply intertwined identities of Jharkhand's residents rejected a divisive narrative, choosing instead leaders who resonate with grassroots realities.

Briefly on Maharashtra, where the BJP danced to victory with cautious optimism the BJP’s landslide win in Maharashtra was nothing short of extraordinary, especially following their Lok Sabha election setback. A strategic course correction, effective policies, disciplined seat-sharing arrangements, and relentless campaigning under the Mahayuti alliance proved to be a masterstroke. Bhupender Yadav and Ashwini Vaishnav, the two Union Ministers worked smartly wouldn’t seek credit for the victory, as the party attributes its success to the grassroots appeal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his resonant slogan, “Ek Hain Toh Safe Hain.” The duo spearheaded BJP’s campaign with unwavering focus, operating behind the scenes, camping in Mumbai for weeks, and flawlessly implementing the party's grassroots strategy. Dissidents were appeased, alliances fortified, and every detail meticulously managed, as if failure wasn’t an option. BJP’s decision to entrust them with Maharashtra in June, when the party appeared to be on shaky ground, turned out to be a game-changer. Much like in Haryana, Congress misjudged BJP's extensive preparation and strategic finesse. The internal rifts within Shiv Sena and NCP further tilted voter confidence toward the BJP, which presented a unified and decisive front. As a result, Congress found itself outmanoeuvred, unable to match the BJP's disciplined and methodical campaign approach.

Meanwhile as a voter, if one can freely express their views, it would be for Congress Party which is losing significant ground over concerns like question paper leaks and irregularities in competitive exams, which alienated a large chunk of the youth and aspirants. While the party has no shortage of pressing issues to take to voters, it remains stuck on the Adani-Modi link, an allegation of crony capitalism that rings hollow when Congress itself has faced similar accusations in the past. For

Assembly elections, where local governance and direct voter connection matter more, such narratives hold limited weight, especially when the Congress in Jharkhand grapples with its own corruption scandals, including allegations of cash collection within the party. This double standard has made it difficult for