Survey Missteps: Shiv Sena's Admission on Lok Sabha Poll Losses

Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Shirsat revealed that overconfidence stemming from changes based on various surveys led to seat-sharing misfortunes in the Lok Sabha polls. While the ruling Mahayuti in Maharashtra won 17 out of 48 seats, Shirsat emphasized the need for the alliance to learn from their mistakes and avoid them in the future.

Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Shirsat declared on Thursday that the overconfidence arising from changes made based on multiple surveys led to their seat-sharing mishaps in the Lok Sabha polls.

The ruling Mahayuti coalition in Maharashtra, formed by the BJP, Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and the NCP under Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, secured 17 out of the 48 Lok Sabha seats in the state on Tuesday.

As a part of the alliance, Shiv Sena contested 15 seats and bagged 7. The BJP contested 28 seats, winning 9, while the NCP fielded candidates in 4 seats and won 1, and their ally RSP contested 1 seat and lost it.

The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi, including Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) headed by former CM Uddhav Thackeray, and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP), won 30 seats.

Addressing reporters, Shirsat expressed acceptance of the people's mandate and stressed the importance of rectifying their own mistakes rather than critiquing others.

“The true epicenter of our seat-sharing was surveys. The modifications we made due to these surveys caused us losses, and I accept it,” Shirsat stated. “Various surveys brought varying insights, leading to overconfidence. As a result, we faced losses.”

He also assured that the mistakes made would be addressed, ensuring that all parties in the Mahayuti refrain from repeating them in the future.