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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.

Passing On The Baton

Writer: Aditi Pai
Aditi Pai
Nov 2, 2024
2 min read

For this first time since 1995, Katol will see a new face seeking votes from the people. Days after Anil Deshmukh, who has represented the constituency since 1995, was named by the NCP (SP) as its candidate from this Vidarbha seat, the party replaced his nomination with that of his son, Salil. The reasons are best known to the Deshmukh family and the party. Insiders claim that the son’s insistence and desire to make his electoral debut forced Deshmukh to convince his party. But the former home minister claimed that the Mahayuti was finding technical reasons to disqualify his nomination Salil Deshmukh, son of former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh, is contesting the polls from the constituency that his father has represented for the past three decades. The father-son duo has been campaigning hard in the sweltering October heat. The stakes are high for the family; in 2021, the senior Deshmukh was arrested on charges of corruption and jailed for 13 months. He had to resign earlier following allegations of misusing his position for money laundering.


Deshmukh began his political career in Nagpur as chairman of the Nagpur Zilla Parishad as a Congressman. In 1995, he rebelled against Congress party leadership after he was denied a ticket and contested as an Independent candidate and won. That year, he lent support to the Shiv Sena-BJP government and was made the minister of state for education. When Sharad Pawar launched the NCP in 1999, Deshmukh joined him and held various positions in the government such as the minister for school education, information, sports, public works, excise and civil supplies, among other key departments. In 2014, he lost the legislative assembly elections to his nephew Ashish Deshmukh. Five years later, he returned to the council of ministers when the MVA formed the government and was given charge of the all-important home ministry.


His career saw reforms in education and the setting up of the Maharashtra Bhushan Award but was marred by serious charges of corruption in 2021 when he was forced to resign. Deshmukh stayed with the NCP (SP) during the split in the party affirmed his loyalty to the party. His nomination from Katol in the NCP (SP)’s first list was seen as an affirmation of his party’s faith in him.

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