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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.

Egypt Unveiled: Where Ancient Majesty Meets Modern Charm!

History, culture, flavour and adventure—every journey through Egypt is a tapestry of wonders.

Egypt has always stirred curiosity in every traveller’s heart. Its ancient civilisation, iconic monuments and rich cultural heritage have drawn explorers for centuries. Standing before the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx—marvels among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World—you instantly feel the weight of history. Built as monumental resting places for pharaohs, these pyramids, along with the remarkable sites of Abu Simbel, Thebes and the Valley of the Kings, reflect the grandeur of a civilisation far ahead of its time. The story of King Tutankhamun, whose tomb was found in 1922, continues to fascinate the world, fuelled by the legend of the “Curse of the Pharaohs”.


Egyptian mythology adds a magical layer to this land. We’ve all read about its powerful gods and goddesses—Ra, the sun god; Osiris, ruler of the afterlife; Isis, the divine mother; Horus, protector of the skies; Anubis, guardian of mummification; and Hathor, goddess of love and dance. Along with Thoth, Bastet and Amon, these deities shaped the beliefs and rituals that still echo through Egypt’s temples.


Flowing through this ancient land is Egypt’s lifeline—the Nile River. For thousands of years, it has nurtured agriculture, shaped settlements and powered daily life. Along the eastern edge lies the Red Sea, with its colourful coral reefs, vibrant fish and underwater beauty that attracts divers from around the world. Cairo, bustling and energetic, blends ancient monuments with modern culture, while the new administrative capital marks Egypt’s bold step into the future.


The culinary flavours of Egypt add another layer to its charm. From crispy falafel and the beloved koshary—a hearty mix of rice, pasta and lentils—to mulukhiyah, kebabs and kofta, Egyptian cuisine is comforting and soulful. Sweet lovers will enjoy baklava and umm ali, desserts that offer warm hospitality in every bite.


This journey holds a special place in my heart—one of the most memorable experiences of my 25-year tourism career. And today, I’m delighted to take you along.


Our adventure began at Cairo International Airport, where a smiling representative greeted us and escorted us to our hotel. The next morning, our Cairo City Tour began with an English-speaking Egyptologist who guided us through the Pyramids of Giza. Standing before the Great Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Mykerinos felt surreal, and the mighty Sphinx, with its silent gaze, added to the wonder. At the Egyptian Museum, we admired statues, royal jewellery and timeless treasures from King Tutankhamun’s tomb—each piece showcasing the brilliance of ancient craftsmanship.


In the evening, the Nile welcomed us with its gentle breeze. Our dinner cruise offered delicious food, lively belly dancing, captivating folklore performances and a magical Sound and Light Show by the pyramids—an unforgettable moment when history came alive.


The next morning, we flew to Aswan, where the famous High Dam stood tall as a modern engineering marvel that tamed the Nile’s floods. We then visited the Unfinished Obelisk, revealing the skill of ancient stonemasons. After checking into our hotel, we spent the evening at the enchanting Philae Temple, dedicated to Goddess Isis and beautifully lit during the Sound and Light Show.


At dawn, carrying breakfast boxes, we set out for Abu Simbel. Standing before the colossal rock-cut temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari was awe-inspiring. Their perfect alignment with the sun twice a year showcases ancient brilliance. Returning to Aswan, we boarded our luxurious Nile cruise, a highlight for its warm hospitality, delicious meals and cultural performances.


The next day, we sailed and stopped at the Kom Ombo Temple, which is uniquely dedicated to Sobek and Horus. We then continued to Edfu to explore the Temple of Horus—the best-preserved temple in Egypt, rich with carvings and mythology. After lunch on board, we sailed to Luxor and visited the beautifully lit Luxor Temple before retiring for the night.


The next morning, we explored Luxor’s West Bank. The Valley of the Kings left us spellbound with its intricately painted royal tombs. The Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, with its grand terraces, honoured Egypt’s most powerful female pharaoh. We also admired the towering Colossi of Memnon, silent guardians of ancient Thebes.


Later, we travelled to Hurghada in a comfortable luxury bus. Here, the Red Sea offered a completely different kind of beauty. Guests enjoyed swimming, diving and snorkelling in its crystal-clear waters. A glass-bottom boat and submarine ride revealed vibrant coral reefs and colourful marine life—an underwater masterpiece.


With hearts full and memories overflowing, we headed to Hurghada Airport for our flight to Mumbai, carrying with us the warmth, wonder and magic of Egypt—a land where history breathes and beauty endures.


Let’s explore more together, so stay tuned!

 

(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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