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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.

The Power of Seeing the World

The world is more magical than any dream—and nothing builds intelligence, confidence, and emotional maturity like travel.

As St. Augustine said, “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” Seeing the world is more magical than any dream. Giving exposure to ourselves and our children is one of the most valuable gifts we can offer in life, because nothing develops intelligence, confidence, and emotional maturity like travel. When we step outside our regular environment, we learn to see life from different angles, and that helps shape stronger thinking and emotional balance.


Taking a break from our routine and travelling to our favourite destinations — or simply spending time in nature — brings immense peace to the mind. Travel teaches us about new cultures, broadens our perspective, refreshes our spirit, renews our energy, and helps us return to our work with greater focus, positivity, and enthusiasm. Even short trips can provide meaningful learning and relaxation. Travel allows us to breathe differently, think differently, and live differently, reminding us that life is not meant to be lived only within deadlines and responsibilities.


Often, children do not have the opportunity to travel, which is truly unfortunate. With their busy school schedules, constant academic pressure, and structured routines, they rarely get their own space or time to free their minds and experience the world around them. This often limits their perspective and can make them feel insecure and under-confident. Travelling allows children to see new surroundings, interact with different kinds of people, and slowly build independence. It is extremely important for children to travel — whether with their parents or, as they grow older, even independently to nearby places. Travel helps them open their minds, build confidence, and gain a deeper understanding of life beyond textbooks. It teaches adaptability, social understanding, and real experience-based learning that classrooms alone cannot provide.


As Sir Matthew Karsten beautifully says, “Investment in travel is an investment in yourself.” Travel should not be seen only as entertainment but as self-development. Every journey adds something meaningful to personality, knowledge, and emotional strength.


As 2026 begins, with new hope and fresh energy, we can make a resolution to travel more and explore the world! This is everyone’s dream—and it can come true with good planning, financial discipline, and physical fitness. Travel is not only about international trips; even discovering our own country, nearby destinations, heritage locations, nature spots, or cultural cities can be deeply enriching.


For most people, travel resolutions are about being more intentional: planning smarter, immersing in culture, and managing finances wisely are major factors. Also packing light, trying local food and language, and balancing adventure with relaxation — without overspending. Also, some more aspects of it. It may sound theoretical, but it truly works when followed practically.


Responsible travel creates meaningful memories without unnecessary stress.


Fitness is the first key to travel. We can explore only when we keep ourselves healthy and active, so daily walking and regular exercise are essential. Good stamina helps us enjoy journeys better, participate in activities comfortably, and stay energetic throughout the trip. Financial planning is equally important. Instead of compromising with uncomfortable accommodations and unhygienic food, choose hygienic and centrally located hotels and restaurants. Even during a one-night stay, good rest and good food matter because they directly affect comfort, health, and overall travel enjoyment. So reach out to goglobalvoyages.in team for your premium travel assistance.

• Budget ahead and set savings goals for travel.

• Plan early to reduce stress and get better deals.

• Be budget-conscious — travel smart, not cheap.


As J.R.R. Tolkien said, “Not all those who wander are lost.” Travel truly has the power to broaden minds and transform lives. It helps people understand the world, respect diversity, and appreciate life in a more meaningful way.


Travel is not just something I am good at — it is something I live. I meet new people, experience new cultures, taste new cuisines, and witness moments that touch my heart deeply. Many experiences leave me speechless… and then turn me into a storyteller.


So dear friends, keep travelling!


And remember — if you wish to travel far and fast, travel light. Let go of envy, jealousy, unforgiveness, selfishness, and fear… and embrace the beautiful world waiting for you.


(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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