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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.

Maldives – Where the Ocean Teaches the Heart to Breathe

The ocean gives peace… if the heart is calm.

There are places we visit for sightseeing, and then there are places that quietly transform us from within. The Maldives is one such destination—a paradise where turquoise waters meet endless skies, where the rhythm of waves replaces the noise of busy life, and where every sunset reminds us to slow down and simply live. From the moment you arrive, the air feels lighter, the ocean calmer, and the heart begins to breathe in a rhythm it had long forgotten.


Located in the vast Indian Ocean, southwest of India and Sri Lanka, the Maldives is made up of nearly 1,200 coral islands spread across 26 natural atolls. From above, these islands look like scattered pearls on a blue canvas, surrounded by lagoons shimmering in the sunlight. One of the world’s lowest-lying countries, built almost entirely on coral reefs and sandbanks, the Maldives holds global significance in conversations on climate change and rising sea levels.


Historically, the Maldives has long been connected to the world through trade and culture. Ancient traders from Arabia, South Asia, and Africa passed through these islands, bringing traditions, languages, and beliefs that gradually blended into Maldivian life. Islam became the official religion in the 12th century and continues to shape the lifestyle, architecture, festivals, and daily practices of the people. Today, the Maldives is a peaceful, tourism-driven nation that balances tradition with modern hospitality.


Nature is the true soul of the Maldives. Clear lagoons, vibrant coral reefs, and rich marine life form the backbone of its natural wealth and economy. Fishing and tourism remain the nation’s two main pillars, while protected marine ecosystems add to its beauty and sustainability. Beneath the ocean lies a magical world of manta rays, sea turtles, reef sharks, colourful corals, and playful dolphins. Snorkelling or diving here feels like entering another universe, where nature becomes the greatest artist.


Travelling to the Maldives is convenient, with many international airlines offering direct connections to Velana International Airport in Malé. The best time to visit is between November and April, when the weather is sunny, dry, and ideal for island hopping, snorkelling, and beach relaxation. Even during the monsoon season from May to October, the Maldives remains beautiful, offering fewer crowds and attractive travel deals.


The Maldives offers a perfect blend of cultural charm and scenic beauty across its islands. The capital, Malé, reveals local markets, mosques, and traditional island life. Maafushi is popular for budget-friendly stays and local experiences, while Baa Atoll is known for marine biodiversity and crystal-clear waters. Vaadhoo Island enchants visitors with its glowing bioluminescent beaches that sparkle like stars at night.


Food in the Maldives is simple, fresh, and deeply connected to the sea and tropical landscape. Traditional dishes like mas huni, tuna curry, garudhiya, and coconut-based meals reflect the island lifestyle and cultural influences. Local markets also offer handicrafts, wooden carvings, shell jewellery, and handmade artefacts that reflect Maldivian traditions and craftsmanship.


One of the most touching memories of my Maldives journey came during a quiet evening by the beach. An elderly fisherman, sitting beside his small wooden boat, offered me a fresh coconut and softly said, “Ocean gives peace… if the heart is calm.” That simple moment touched me deeply. It was not just about the sea but about human connection, humility, and gratitude. In that quiet exchange, I understood that the Maldives is not only a destination but also a lesson in simplicity and peace.


Travelling to the Maldives with a group made the experience even more meaningful for me. Managing group travel in such a serene and welcoming country allowed me to use my skills in handling people, coordinating activities, and ensuring everyone felt comfortable throughout the journey. From organising island visits and water sports to managing schedules and hotel check-ins, I experienced the true joy of leadership and teamwork. The peaceful environment and the warmth of its people made group coordination smooth and enjoyable.


This journey taught me that travel is not only about visiting beautiful places but also about understanding people, building trust, and creating shared memories. Watching my group laugh together, enjoy the calm beaches, and experience the beauty of the ocean filled me with deep satisfaction.


For me, the Maldives is more than a destination—it is an emotion that stays quietly in the heart. It is the gentle sound of waves at night, the warmth of strangers’ smiles, the silence of golden sunsets, and the joy of shared travel moments. Even after leaving, a part of my heart remains there—somewhere between the quiet lagoons, glowing sunsets, and endless blue ocean—reminding me that true peace is often found in the simplest of places.


(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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