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...

min read

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.

CM’s wife frowns at VHP

Quaid Najmi

Sep 9

2 min read

Mumbai: A month before the first ‘dandiya’ beats of Navratri, Maharashtra politics hotted up with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP)’s diktat to ‘keep Muslims out” at venues – supported by sections of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party – but Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ celeb-wife Amruta has taken an opposing stance, on Wednesday.

In an unexpected deviation, Amruta said that all festivals should be ‘inclusive’ and feels nothing is wrong if Muslims participate in the much-anticipated 10-night garba-dandiya celebrations beginning October 11.

“If a Muslim person also comes there and enjoys the festival properly, I do not see anything wrong in it,” she said, reacting to the VHP’s call, which BJP’s state cabinet minister has endorsed.

The VHP Joint Secretary Shriraj Nair has asked organisers to check Aadhaar Cards of the revellers, ensure ‘tilak’ applied on their foreheads and other safeguards, arguing that Navratri is a Hindu religious festival dedicated to Goddess Durga, and since Muslims don’t believe in idol worship they cannot be permitted at the festival venues.

Backing the VHP, Rane mooted an extra check-level, demanding that participants should be asked "to recite the Hanuman Chalisa", claiming that investigations into allegations of 'Love Jihad' (interfaith liaisons) had thrown up instances of such things emerging through festivals.

Hitting out, Raut described the VHP as the new “Maulvis” (Muslim Clerics) of the Hindus and pointed to the apparent contradiction of the VHP vis-à-vis the RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s recent statement advocating Hindu-Muslim unity in New York. “We want that Bhagwat should publicly clarify whether the RSS agrees with the VHP’s exclusionary diktat,” Raut said.

Though the CM has kept mum on the sensitive issue as Navratri – like Ganeshotsav or Diwali of Holi - has long transcended their community-specific roots to become mass metropolitan celebrations attracting people across communities to the ‘dance floor’.

Film actor Shreyas Talpade said Hindus and Muslims have celebrated their festivals together for years and called the issue ‘more of a political question’. “I have always enjoyed every festival wholeheartedly, and I will continue to do so,” he said.

Opposition bats for 'inclusivity'

Aaditya Thackeray (Shiv Sena - UBT): Who gave them (VHP) the authority to grant such ‘Hindutva certificates’ by asking for Aadhaar Cards? All public festivals in Mumbai are historically celebrated as ‘inclusive and belong to everyone beyond the barriers of religion or caste’.

Vijay Wadettiwar, Congress: By issuing such discriminatory and exclusionary guidelines, the VHP is attempting to “set society on fire”.

Clyde Crasto, NCP (SP): This diktat is bound to disturb the peace and social harmony of the state, during the festival season.

Ramdas Athawale, RPI: It is unconstitutional as people of all religions should participate in each other’s festivals for amity and peace.

Rais Shaikh, Samajwadi Party: Illegal ‘fatwa’, aimed at creating ‘communal divisions’, the Maharashtra government should stop the VHP and other right-wing outfits from indulging in cultural policing and vitiating peace.