As nominations for the Maharashtra Assembly elections closed on Tuesday, one thing became clear: both the alliances being formed in Maharashtra were unrealistic. Maha Vikas Aghadi and Mahayuti are political party groups with different views who came together for the greed of power. That is why the opposition alliance in Maharashtra, Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), has candidates from both parties in at least seven assembly constituencies. The same thing happened with Mahayutti. In this alliance, even a party like the BJP with its cadre cannot take tough decisions. At least five seats here are also facing an MVA-like situation. Both leagues claim the issue will be resolved in the coming days. The last date to withdraw a nomination is November 4. But judging from the progress of the internal politics of the two alliances, it is certain that after winning the election, a new alliance will be formed.
Of the 288 parliamentary seats, Mahayut’s parties allocated 284 seats among themselves, leaving four seats for smaller allies. Of these seats, the BJP will contest a maximum of 152 seats, followed by the Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on 80 seats and Deputy Chief Minister Aji The Nationalist Congress Party led by Ajit Pawar won only 52 seats. Likewise, the Congress also managed to win 101 seats in the MVA. Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) will contest on 96 seats and Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) on 87 seats. The MVA left two seats each for the Samajwadi Party (SP) and CPI(M). There was a time when it looked like the MVA seat would be shared equally between the Congress, NCP (SP) and Shiv Sena (UBT). But Congress and Shiv Sena UBT bargained well.
The Contradictions of Maha Vikas Aghadi
In Maha Vikas Aghadi, the manner in which the Congress, Shiv Sena and UBT are attacking each other is not hidden from anyone from the beginning. The only fact is that they are tolerating each other to win elections. That is why the two sides fought in Miraj (Sangli district), South Solapur, Pandharpur and Sangora (Solapur district), Paranda (Dala Shiv district), Dighras (Yavat Mal district) and Dharavi (Mumbai) are opposed to each other. In these areas, Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) candidates have filed nominations for four seats. Except for Dharavi, all these seats are currently occupied by Mahayuthi candidates. Ramesh Chennithala, who heads the All India Congress Committee in Maharashtra, said there would be no friendly fighting. If our colleagues have made nominations for certain seats, these will be addressed in the coming days.
Last week, talks on seat-sharing stalled amid differences between the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Congress. Subsequently, both parties asked Pawar to intervene, after which the opposition alliance reached a preliminary agreement on 255 seats. It is worth thinking about what to expect if this coalition forms a government when seat allocation is so difficult. Efforts to build an independent coalition may also begin after the election when the distance is so great.
Battle in the big leagues
Even within the ruling alliance, Mankhurd-Shivajinagar (Mumbai), Purandar (Pune), Morshi (Amravati), Dindori ST-Reserved (Nashik district) and Ashti (Beed district) are clashing with each other. But the one that attracted the most attention was Mankhurd-Shivajinagar, where the NCP fielded former minister Nawab Malik. The Shiv Sena has already fielded a candidate here. Obviously, the BJP will be under pressure as Shinde will support the Shiv Sena candidate. But with Ajit Pawar handing over the symbol to Nawab Malik at the last minute despite the opposition of the BJP, it seemed that this alliance would not last long. SP state president Abu Azmi has won this seat in the past three elections. In Purandhar, Shiv Sena and NCP candidates faced off against each other, with Vijay Shivtare getting the Shiv Sena ticket while Ajit Pawar fielded Sambhaji.
However, even Mahayuthy, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the differences over these seats will be resolved in the coming days. But judging from the opposition within the PPP to Nawab Malik and his daughter, it is clear that two factions have formed in the party. Ashish Sheral and Kirit Sumaiya openly opposed Nawab Malik. Malik.
Possibility of forming new coalition after elections
The situation emerging in Maharashtra seems to indicate that no alliance can achieve an absolute majority. Obviously, under such circumstances, horse trading will start again. Many political parties will splinter and disintegrate. The atmosphere created within the BJP regarding Ajit Pawar suggests that the party wants to avoid him. Likewise, there is a lack of credibility between the Congress and the Shiv Sena (UBT). The local unit of the Congress does not want to support the Shiv Sena at all. As in 2004, many political parties that had not previously joined the UPA also joined the UPA at the Centre. Maharashtra has similar possibilities.