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Maharashtra MLC Elections Reveal Tensions Within Mahayuti Alliance
The recent Maharashtra MLC elections have laid bare the fractures within the ruling Mahayuti coalition, prompting leaders to scramble for damage control. “The leaders of the three parties have been in talks with the rebel candidates, and we are confident that by Thursday, the last date for withdrawing nominations, they will have taken their candidatures back,” said Chavan, as the coalition faces internal discord.
With 16 seats up for grabs from local bodies and a bypoll for the Nagpur local authorities constituency, the Mahayuti still holds a numerical advantage. However, the contest underscores significant rifts among the allies. The BJP is fielding candidates for 11 of the 17 available seats, while the Shiv Sena is contesting four and the NCP just two. According to Sanjay Patil, a researcher at Mumbai University, “Eknath Shinde is more ambitious than Uddhav Thackeray was as a coalition partner, which is a cause of concern for the BJP.” He noted that the BJP's ambitions have surged since the Shiv Sena split in 2022, leading to tensions that sometimes undermine Shinde’s faction.
Shiv Sena MLA Abdul Sattar did not hold back in criticizing the BJP’s maneuvers, stating, “It has already cut off our arms and legs, and is now trying to chop off our heads.” He recalled the sacrifices made by the Shiv Sena, referencing a pivotal visit to Guwahati by dissident MLAs last June. Sattar further proposed a unification of the two factions of Shiv Sena, a sentiment echoed by MLC Ambadas Danve from the Thackeray camp.
Late-night discussions led by Shinde in Marathwada aimed to persuade rebel candidates, including Sattar’s son, Sameer, to withdraw their nominations. Despite these efforts, Sattar remained critical of the BJP's approach, asserting that both sides need to adhere to the "alliance dharma." He remarked, “We have followed the alliance dharma, but today’s situation has forced us to talk about the truth on the ground.”
Support for Sattar's viewpoint was voiced by fellow Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad, who highlighted the lack of inquiry into attacks on Shiv Sena ministers during recent elections. Gaikwad lamented that “senior BJP leaders don’t let any of my calling attention motions be discussed in the legislature.” In response to these grievances, Shiv Sena Minister Uday Samant noted that the Mahayuti’s “Samanvay samiti” would meet to discuss ongoing issues within the coalition.
The day began with a troubling roster of Mahayuti rebels, many of whom are children of party leaders eager to establish their political careers. The urgency for unity was apparent as Shinde's late-night meeting resulted in agreements for candidate withdrawals, including Sameer Sattar's. Additionally, instructions were given to Mahendra Dalvi to ensure his daughter Juilee withdrew from the Raigad-Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg race. Dalvi’s representative confirmed the withdrawal, stating, “We are all karyakartas who follow our leader’s directions.”
Despite these moves, challenges remain, as seen in Nashik where BJP's Ganesh Gite filed for candidacy despite the Mahayuti's official Shiv Sena candidate. BJP Minister Girish Mahajan assured reporters that a resolution would be found, saying, “We will definitely find a solution. At many other places, the problem has been solved.”
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