Questions on MVA unity rises

Mumbai: Cracks have surfaced within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) after the Shiv Sena UBT announced the nomination of former leader of opposition Ambadas Danve for the Maharashtra Legislative Council elections slated for May 12.

Congress has announced that it will field its nominee in the elections, especially after Shiv Sena UBT president Uddhav Thackeray opted out of the polls after his present term in the Upper House ends on May 13.

The Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president Harshwardhan Sapkal announced that the party will field its candidate in the state council elections, expressing serious displeasure over Shiv Sena UBT’s move to nominate Ambadas Danve and not Uddhav Thackeray.

Sapkal and State Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar last week declared that the party will support Uddhav Thackeray in the state council elections and will not put up its own nominee. However, both had hinted that if Uddhav Thackeray decides to opt out, the Congress will enter the electoral fray.

For the election of nine seats, the quota is 29 votes. The present strength of MVA is 46, comprising Shiv Sena UBT 20, Congress 16 and NCP SP 10. The last date for filing nominations is April 30.

Sapkal last week met Uddhav Thackeray while extending the Congress party’s support to him. Sapkal firmly endorsed Uddhav Thackeray as the key face of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, stating that the alliance will move forward only with him at the forefront.

Following a recent meeting, Sapkal emphasised that if Thackeray contests the Legislative Council election, it would be welcomed. Sapkal declared that Uddhav Thackeray is the undisputed face of the Maha Vikas Aghadi in Maharashtra. He stated that it is a point of joy if Thackeray goes to the legislative council, stressing that the alliance will move forward only if he is leading it.

Earlier, the BJP had already announced five nominees, while Shiv Sena has yet to declare its candidates. The NCP held a core committee meeting chaired by Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar on Wednesday morning and shortlisted some names. The party is expected to announce its nominee late Wednesday evening.

Observers said that if the Congress decides to stick to its stand, the Shiv Sena UBT and NCP SP will have to strive to keep their respective legislators together to avoid cross-voting.