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By:

Abhijit Mulye

21 August 2024 at 4:59:11 pm

MLC polls expose cracks in Mahayuti, MVA

AI Generated Image Mumbai: The upcoming Maharashtra Legislative Council (MLC) elections for the graduate and teacher constituencies have laid bare the deep-seated fissures within both the ruling Mahayuti and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliances. In a significant development that could have far-reaching political implications, multiple rebel candidates, including prominent figures with strong party affiliations, have defied alliance dictates to file their nominations as...

MLC polls expose cracks in Mahayuti, MVA

AI Generated Image Mumbai: The upcoming Maharashtra Legislative Council (MLC) elections for the graduate and teacher constituencies have laid bare the deep-seated fissures within both the ruling Mahayuti and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliances. In a significant development that could have far-reaching political implications, multiple rebel candidates, including prominent figures with strong party affiliations, have defied alliance dictates to file their nominations as independents, setting the stage for high-stakes, multi-cornered contests. Mahayuti Turmoil The Mahayuti alliance, comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), is grappling with rebellion on multiple fronts. In the critical Nagpur Graduates constituency, a traditional BJP stronghold, former BJP MLC and Nagpur Mayor Anil Sole has thrown a spanner in the works by filing his nomination as an independent candidate. This move directly challenges the official BJP candidate, Sudhakar Kohale. While the BJP leadership, including state president Ravindra Chavan, has attempted to downplay the situation, asserting that Sole has been "pacified," the former MLC's actions tell a different story. Sole's decision to contest independently is particularly significant given his long-standing association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and his previous stint as a BJP MLC from the very same constituency. The situation is equally complicated in the Amravati Teachers constituency. The Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) has officially fielded Kiran Sarnaik. However, adding to the confusion, Sangita Shinde, sister of BJP MP Anil Bonde, has also entered the fray, potentially splitting the Mahayuti vote. The opposition MVA is also facing its share of internal discord here. While the Congress has nominated Aditi Pohre, daughter of former minister Harshvardhan Deshmukh, the Shiv Sena (UBT) has fielded Dattatray Lahane. The presence of numerous candidates representing various teachers' organizations further complicates the electoral arithmetic in this constituency. Opposition Rebellion The Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar Graduates constituency has witnessed another surprise development. While the NCP's sitting MLC, Satish Chavan, was widely considered the frontrunner, the BJP's M.K. Deshmukh has unexpectedly filed his nomination as a rebel candidate, catching the Mahayuti leadership completely off guard. The MVA, too, is facing rebellion in this constituency. Although the seat was officially allocated to the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Dilip Ghuge has also filed his nomination, causing significant heartburn within the opposition alliance. The Pune constituencies present a microcosm of the larger alliance troubles. In the Pune Graduates constituency, the BJP has fielded Dr. Smita Jadhav, the daughter-in-law of Pratap Singh Jadhav, owner of the 'Pudhari' news group and niece of Congress leader Satej Patil. Adding intrigue to this contest is the fact that she is contesting against Harshada Deshmukh-Jadhav, the official candidate of the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction). However, the real drama is unfolding in the Pune Teachers constituency. The BJP's official candidate, Koustubh Gawde, is facing a formidable challenge from Mangesh Chiwate, a close confidant of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Chiwate, a former journalist who handled the CM's medical aid cell while Shinde was the CM, has claimed that his party leadership has provided him with the crucial 'AB' form, signaling official backing. Commenting on the chaotic situation, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis acknowledged that seat-sharing talks remained inconclusive in some areas but expressed hope that the alliance partners would eventually reach an agreement. The true picture of the electoral battlefield will only emerge after Friday, October 9th, the last date for the withdrawal of nominations. Until then, both alliances will be working overtime to contain the rebellions and present a united front, but the deep cracks exposed by these developments suggest that the upcoming MLC elections will be fiercely contested and highly unpredictable.

A Test of Prestige for the BJP in Eastern Vidarbha

Writer: Kiran D. Tare
Kiran D. Tare
Oct 22, 2024
3 min read
Eastern Vidarbha

As the election draws nearer, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) finds itself locked in a high-stakes contest in Eastern Vidarbha, particularly Nagpur—a region long considered the heart of its ideological and political machinery given that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has its headquarters here.


This particular electoral battle transcends mere numbers as the very prestige of the party’s state unit is at stake this time, especially with key figures like Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, state BJP President Chandrashekhar Bawankule and senior leader Sudhir Mungantiwar in the fray and the presence of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari looming large.


Among the 23 candidates nominated by the BJP in Vidarbha, an impressive 19 are incumbent MLAs. Bawankule, in particular, is eager to reclaim his place in the political landscape after a hiatus from electoral contests since 2014. His previous exclusion from the ticket in the 2019 Assembly elections is believed to have cost the BJP several seats, especially given his affiliation with the Teli community, which boasts a significant voter base.


Under Fadnavis’ leadership, the party has spearheaded substantial infrastructural projects, including the Nagpur metro.


The transformation of districts like Gadchiroli, Bhandara, Gondia, and Chandrapur from hotbeds of Naxalism to areas now declared ‘Naxal-free’ is a testament to the decisive action taken by the erstwhile Fadnavis government and present Eknath Shinde-led Mahayuti coalition, supported by central forces. This substantial victory over Maoist elements will be touted as a key achievement by the BJP in Vidarbha. The decimation of Naxal influence and the establishment of a climate conducive to industrial development, creating new employment opportunities will be the BJP’s plank as it reaches out to voters here.


Fadnavis, once the undisputed face of the BJP in Maharashtra, hails from Nagpur and has deep roots in the region. However, the party’s poor performance in the Lok Sabha elections, has raised doubts about whether Fadnavis can rally the base for a more convincing mandate this time around. For Mungantiwar, the challenge this time is even more daunting given his abysmal performance in the Lok Sabha, where he lost heavily in the Chandrapur Lok Sabha contest to the Congress’ Pratibha Dhanorkar, trailing by more than 48,000 votes from his own Assembly segment stronghold of Ballarpur.


Traditionally, the contest in Vidarbha has been between the two national parties – the Congress and the BJP, which has eaten into the Congress’ pie since 2014. However, an attenuated Congress maintains a formidable presence in this region, posing a significant threat to the BJP’s dominance. Even today, the party has the maximum number of MLAs concentrated in the entire Vidarbha region, 15 of its total strength of 45.


Vidarbha has produced three Chief Ministers for the Congress—Maratrao Kannamwar, Vasantrao Naik, who remains the state’s longest-serving CM, and Suddhakar Rao Naik (Fadnavis being the fourth CM from this region). The Congress has also maintained a strong cadre of second-line leaders, with influential figures such as Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) chief Nana Patole, Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar, and former ministers Nitin Raut and Sunil Kedar, all important players from this belt.


As it faces a charged-up Congress on November 20, the eyes of Maharashtra will be on Eastern Vidarbha, where the BJP’s prestige hangs in the balance. As the BJP locks horns with a formidable Congress in Eastern Vidarbha, the Assembly election here is a fight for the saffron party’s identity, transcending mere numbers.

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