Never mind US: Can PM Modi assure BJP success in Maharashtra, Haryana?

Narendra Modi’s high energy levels during his back-to-back meetings and public speeches while being on Navratra fast has become a big talking point - both in India and America. Once he returns home, an equally gruelling schedule will await him. And we are not just talking about his pending official work. After a bitter break-up with the Shiv Sena and with polls in Maharashtra and Haryana round the corner, Narendra Modi will hardly get time to breathe once he is back from the USA. The party workers and leaders might be waiting for Modi to swing votes for BJP in the two states. It seems like the party candidates and the organisational functionaries are keen in seeing him stretching limits of his physical endurance to campaign. Modi would land in New Delhi late on 1 October after his US trip. On 2 October, Gandhi Jayanti, Modi is schedule to launch the Swach Bharat Abhyian - Clean India Campaign - about which he so passionately spoke even in the US. The Prime Minister will break his 10-day long Navratri fast on 3 October. [caption id=“attachment_1736213” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Reuters[/caption] There is a general feeling in the party that Modi will have to campaign hard in Maharashtra and Haryana, although his campaign programme will be finalised only keeping convenience in mind. As per current indications, Modi will be able to start campaigning only from 4 October. The split between the Shiv Sena and BJP became official hours after the prime minister left for the US. On his return he will get the first resignation of heavy industries and public enterprises minister Ananth Geete — the only Shiv Sena representative of his cabinet — and the severing of ties between the 25-year-old partners complete. Incidentally, this will be the first time that the BJP will be contesting all 288 seats in Maharastra. In Haryana, though the BJP has previously contested all 90 seats, it will be the first time the party will be fighting elections to win control over the state. It will be the first election for the BJP since Modi has ascended to the Prime Minister’s post. Both Maharastra and Haryana are ruled by Congress and though there is a multi cornered contest, BJP are still the favourites. The stakes are obviously too high for Modi and the BJP. The campaigning for 15 October polling in both the states will end on 13 October. That leaves Modi with only nine days for intensive campaigning. The BJP leaders remained tight-lipped on how many days the prime minister will devote to campaigning but they suggested that he could be doing it extensively, like he did during the earlier round of assembly elections. Modi’s task has become more challenging. Not so much due to paucity of time but due to the fact that there is no established leadership in both these states. The BJP is hoping to score in these elections purely on prime minister’s persona. The BJP’s poll campaign in Maharastra is yet to begin. Amit Shah had been there on a two-day visit after the BJP called off its alliance with Shiv Sena. The party would officially begin its campaign from Tuesday, after the scrutiny of nomination papers end on Monday. Shah has kick-started a poll campaign in Haryana although PM Modi would be expected to add momentum to it. But then there is something for the BJP to cheer. Live pictures coming from Madison Square and Times Square in New York has helped add to an already heightened aura of Modi. He would be returning home on a high note and would be expected to lead an even higher voltage campaign against Congress and other political rivals.