BJP’s magnanimous victory in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand has energised the party’s state units across India. The party leaders not only expect to comfortably retain Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, which are slated to go for polls within a year, but also pinned hopes on Maharashtra where the BJP government relies heavily on the Shiv Sena.

To cash in on the current Modi wave and also the thumping victory of recent civic elections, the BJP might go for early Assembly elections, say top BJP leaders. The government still has two and half years to complete the term. However, the ride so far has been like a rollercoaster.

“We have had enough of arm twisting by Shiv Sena. We won’t tolerate their threats anymore. Post civic elections results, the Shiv Sena is not in a position to threaten us anymore and even if they do, we would prefer to go for polls,” said a senior BJP leader.

The party hopes to win the state with a thumping margin if elections are held today. “Even if the Assembly polls are held within a year, we would be able to get majority on our own. However, we would like to complete the term if the Sena allows us to do so,” say party leaders.

The party is expecting Modi wave to continue at least till 2019.

In the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly, BJP has 122 members, which is 23 less than the simple majority. Shiv Sena has 63 members. Before 2014, Shiv Sena has had an upper hand, playing the role of “big brother”. However, things have changes a lot since then.

BJP has expanded further in Maharashtra in the last two and half years, making inroads in the state. This is obvious from results of the recent municipal corporations and Zilla Parishad elections in the state. BJP occupied 8 out of 10 corporations and one-third of the Zilla parishads.

Most BJP leaders feel that the party should get rid of the Shiv Sena as early as possible. “They neither work nor let us work. On top of that, they don’t leave any opportunity to attack us. This is quite embarrassing and discomfitting at times,” feel some BJP leaders.

Party spokesperson Madhav Bhandari, however, downplayed such speculations. “I don’t think that UP and Uttarakhand results will impact Maharashtra’s politics anytime soon," he said.