The Maharashtra BJP is understood to be against simultaneous polls to the Lok Sabha and the Assembly next year, according to some State party leaders.
The issue was discussed at a recent meeting between BJP chief Amit Shah and Maharashtra leaders where the view of the State party unit was put forth, said the leaders who requested anonymity. A leader claimed that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis too is opposed to simultaneous elections and has conveyed this to Shah.
"If Lok Sabha and Assembly elections are held together, there may be a compounded backlash from unhappy voters. If Lok Sabha elections are held first, we can do some damage control before the Assembly elections (later) next year," he said.
"If Lok Sabha and Assembly elections are held separately, we can learn lessons from Lok Sabha's verdict and can plan accordingly for the Assembly polls," he added.
The Lok Sabha polls are to be held by May next year while the tenure of the Maharashtra Assembly is till October next year.