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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.

Onions Will Make Leaders Cry

Suyash Padate
Oct 22, 2024
2 min read
Onions

It may be recalled that in 1998 Delhi state elections the BJP miserably lost to the Congress.  A major contributing factor to the BJP’s defeat was the skyrocketing onion prices due to crop failure in the country. This is one example of the political implications of onion prices. This time around somewhat the same situation has arisen. So, who will bear the brunt is the question hovering in the minds of people.  


During the festive season, rising onion prices have brought tears to many eyes. The government’s policy is solely responsible for this. The Centre’s decision to ban onion exports, aimed at reducing domestic prices, backfired politically and the disregard for onion farmers’ demands, cost the BJP-led alliance dearly in the state in recently concluded Lok Sabha polls. Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the onion farmers in Nashik had launched a ‘rath yatra’ to bring attention to their plight as they were disappointed with the elected members from the state for not raising the issue of the export ban in Parliament and failing to voice farmers’ concerns.


The surge in onion prices in India is expected to drive up international costs and food expenses. The support prices for onions have skyrocketed, with the Centre purchasing them at a rate 74 per cent higher than last year in Maharashtra, the nation’s top onion-producing state. Last year, onions were bought at Rs 16.93 per kg, but this year’s procurement price has risen to Rs 29.5 per kg, with payments made directly to farmers through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system to cut out intermediaries. To manage the situation, the Centre is distributing onions through NAFED outlets, mobile vans, and other channels at Rs 35 per kg. Significantly, the basic question remains unanswered as to how long this arrangement will work. Even when procurement prices were as low as Rs 16.93 per kg, national prices seldom fell below Rs 30 per kg. Currently, onion prices are hovering between Rs 60 and 70 per kg.


Nationwide the onion prices are expected to remain high, as the Maharashtra government is allocating Rs 1500 crore to purchase onions from local farmers and traders, aiming to maintain their support for upcoming elections. In December 2023, the government imposed an export ban on onions to tackle escalating retail prices ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. This measure led to a drop in onion prices by around 40 per cent, from Rs 42.2 per kg in December 2023 to Rs 24.5 per kg by March 2024. On March 23, 2024, the export ban on onions was extended indefinitely in response to the Lok Sabha election. This move led to a decrease in prices.


In Nashik, Maharashtra’s onion-growing heartland, the discontent among onion farmers led to the defeat of Union Minister of State Bharati Pawar in the Dindori constituency in the district and BJP alliance candidate Hemant Godse in Nashik.


Onion farmers also played a crucial role in toppling BJP alliance candidates in 11 Lok Sabha constituencies.

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