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By:

Abhijit Mulye

21 August 2024 at 11:29:11 am

Mahayuti struggles with seat-sharing formula

Mumbai: The ruling Mahayuti alliance is currently navigating a treacherous political minefield. With the crucial Legislative Council elections rapidly approaching, deep-seated differences over seat-sharing have surfaced. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday offered a candid admission of these unresolved disputes. His statements underscore the immense pressure on the coalition partners. The state is preparing to vote for sixteen council seats and one bypoll seat in Nagpur. Voting is...

Mahayuti struggles with seat-sharing formula

Mumbai: The ruling Mahayuti alliance is currently navigating a treacherous political minefield. With the crucial Legislative Council elections rapidly approaching, deep-seated differences over seat-sharing have surfaced. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday offered a candid admission of these unresolved disputes. His statements underscore the immense pressure on the coalition partners. The state is preparing to vote for sixteen council seats and one bypoll seat in Nagpur. Voting is scheduled for June 18, with the all-important counting set for June 22. Addressing the media after inaugurating the Jawahar Balbhavan in Mumbai, Fadnavis sought to project a calm exterior. He emphasised that detailed discussions are still ongoing to evaluate various aspects of the electoral battle. He expressed confidence that the alliance would soon reach an amicable solution. However, the specific geographies he mentioned reveal the exact fault lines. Negotiations with the Shiv Sena are heavily concentrated on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and Nashik. Meanwhile, talks with the Nationalist Congress Party are focused squarely on Pune. Alliance Arithmatic The arithmetic of the alliance is proving incredibly difficult to balance. The Shiv Sena had firmly demanded seven seats even as the BJP was offering only 3. They justify this claim by pointing to their strong support bases in Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Sambhajinagar, Ratnagiri, Nashik, and Yavatmal. The Bharatiya Janata Party has a vastly different calculation. The BJP plans to assert its dominance by contesting twelve seats. This aggressive stance would leave only three seats for the Sena and a mere two seats for the Sunetra Pawar-led NCP. With the nomination process already underway, the clock is ticking loudly for the Mahayuti leadership. This intense internal friction prompted a sudden political maneuver by Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde. He flew to New Delhi over the weekend amid the escalating deadlock. Sena sources indicated that Shinde sought the intervention of the BJP’s central leadership. A Sena minister, however, quickly tried to downplay the optics of the trip. He insisted that Shinde travelled for an unscheduled programme before heading to Bengaluru for a planned event. Despite these official denials, the timing strongly suggests a high-stakes crisis intervention. Bitter Conflict The most bitter conflict within the alliance centers on the Thane local authorities constituency. Both the BJP and the Shinde-led Sena are fiercely staking their claims. A BJP legislator recently argued that political tickets should be distributed based strictly on numerical strength. He pointed out that the BJP commands 444 corporators in the region. In stark contrast, the Shinde-led Sena and the allied Jijau organisation possess a combined total of only 346 corporators. However, political reality in Maharashtra is rarely dictated by numbers alone. The Shinde faction views Thane as its emotional and traditional stronghold. Surrendering this territory to their alliance partner is considered politically unthinkable. This local dispute is already threatening to severely damage the broader coalition. A Sena Member of Parliament recently issued a stark warning regarding the upcoming Thane Zilla Parishad elections. He boldly asserted that Sena workers are fully prepared to fight alone and hoist their saffron flag, regardless of the alliance’s survival. The battle lines are extending further across the state map. The Sena is demanding the Jalgaon seat, which the BJP is equally determined to contest. Furthermore, reports suggest the Sena is preparing to unilaterally field a candidate in Raigad. This would further complicate the already delicate negotiations. Despite these mounting tensions, BJP minister Girish Mahajan has publicly maintained that the deadlock will be resolved shortly. A final decision now rests on an impending high-level meeting between Fadnavis, Shinde, and Sunetra Pawar. MVA Crisis Meanwhile, the political turbulence is not restricted to the Mahayuti alliance. The opposition Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi is dealing with its own severe crisis in the Vidarbha region. The Chandrapur-Gadchiroli council seat has triggered frantic political poaching. As many as sixty corporators and Zilla Parishad members from the Congress party reportedly went missing recently. Congress leaders have directly accused BJP legislator Banti Bhangadiya of orchestrating this disappearance. They allege he has shifted the corporators to an undisclosed location to manipulate the voting outcome. The Congress has responded with an aggressive counter-narrative. Senior Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar made a startling claim that over one hundred BJP corporators are secretly in contact with him. While Wadettiwar strategically hid their exact whereabouts, his statement highlighted a critical vulnerability. He suggested that the BJP is also suffering from severe internal factionalism. Wadettiwar warned that these hidden rifts will ultimately cost the ruling party dearly in the forthcoming elections.

Bhutan: Where Happiness is a Way of Life

From misty mountains to fluttering prayer flags, every corner whispers peace.

Nestled in the eastern Himalayas, the enchanting kingdom of Bhutan feels like a place where time slows down and life breathes in harmony with nature. Known as the “Land of the Thunder Dragon", Bhutan is not just a destination—it is an experience that touches the heart deeply.


Geographically, Bhutan is a small, landlocked country bordered by India to the south and China to the north. Its terrain ranges from subtropical plains to snow-covered Himalayan peaks, offering breathtaking landscapes at every turn.


The pristine environment is protected by strict conservation policies, making Bhutan one of the world’s only carbon-negative countries.


Easy for Indians

One of the most beautiful aspects of Bhutan lies in its unique relationship with India. The bond between the two nations is warm, respectful, and deeply rooted in history.


India is Bhutan’s closest ally, supporting its economic growth, infrastructure, and development. For Indian citizens, this relationship translates into ease of travel—no visa is required, and Indian currency is widely accepted alongside Bhutan’s official currency, the Ngultrum. The near-equal value of both currencies makes travel financially comfortable and convenient.


The best time to visit Bhutan is during spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). During spring, the valleys bloom with vibrant rhododendrons, while autumn offers clear skies and stunning mountain views. Festivals, known as Tshechus, are held during these seasons, bringing the country alive with masked dances, music, and spiritual celebrations.


Bhutan is home to some of the most mesmerising places in the Himalayas. The capital city, Thimphu, blends tradition with modernity, offering monasteries, markets, and cultural sites. Paro is famous for the iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery, perched dramatically on a cliffside—a sight that leaves every traveller in awe. Punakha, with its stunning Punakha Dzong, offers a serene blend of history and natural beauty.


Sharing Humanity

It was during a quiet morning in Paro that Bhutan revealed its true essence to me. As I began the steep hike towards Tiger’s Nest, I noticed an elderly monk slowly making his way up the same path. His steps were unhurried, his face calm, and in his hands, he carried a small prayer wheel. At one resting point, I sat beside him, catching my breath, while he simply smiled. Without a word, he offered me a sip of butter tea from his flask. That simple gesture—so pure, so unassuming—felt like a silent lesson. In that moment, surrounded by mountains and prayer flags, I realised Bhutan isn’t about reaching destinations; it is about sharing humanity, even in silence. That brief encounter stayed with me far longer than any photograph ever could.


Bhutanese cuisine is simple yet bold in flavour. The national dish, Ema Datshi, is a fiery mix of chillies and cheese that reflects the country’s love for spice. Meals are often organic, wholesome, and deeply connected to the land.


What truly defines Bhutan, however, is its people. The Bhutanese are known for their warmth, humility, and deep sense of contentment. Their lifestyle is rooted in tradition, with most people wearing national attire—a gho for men and a kira for women. Life here is guided by the philosophy of Gross National Happiness, prioritising well-being over material wealth.


Domestic animals play a vital role in Bhutanese daily life. Yaks, cows, and horses are not just livestock but companions that support agriculture, transportation, and livelihoods in mountainous regions. In high-altitude areas, yaks provide milk, wool, and fuel, becoming indispensable to survival.


Spirituality forms the soul of Bhutan. Monasteries, or dzongs, are not just architectural marvels but centres of faith and community life. The presence of monks chanting prayers, the scent of incense, and the sight of prayer wheels create a deeply calming atmosphere.


Travelling to Bhutan is not just about seeing new places—it is about feeling a different way of life. For Indian travellers, the journey becomes even more special due to the ease of access, currency advantage, and cultural familiarity. Yet, Bhutan still feels wonderfully different—quieter, purer, and more mindful.


In a world that constantly rushes forward, Bhutan gently reminds us to pause, breathe, and appreciate the present. It is not just a destination on a map but a place that stays in your heart long after you leave.


(The writer is a tourism professional and runs a company, Global Voyages. She could be contacted at goglobalvoyages@gmail.com. Views personal.)


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