MVA Seat Allocation Tussle: Allies Lock Horns Over Major Electoral Districts

Senior Maharashtra leaders Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray’s Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition seems to be nearing collapse. With deepening divisions surfacing just before the assembly elections, all three MVA parties are fielding candidates against one another, raising questions about their ability to manage Maharashtra’s governance if they struggle to maintain unity.

Seat-sharing talks within the MVA have reached a stalemate as the candidate nomination deadline approaches. Friction is particularly visible between Congress and Uddhav Thackeray’s faction, with reports of heated exchanges among their leaders. Congress is reportedly eyeing the “Sangli pattern” for candidate selection in various constituencies. Although Sharad Pawar has distanced himself from the disputes, sources indicate that even his candidates face marginalization in some areas.

Alliance Members Go Head-to-Head

In a surprising turn, MVA coalition members are now running candidates against each other in significant constituencies such as Paranda, South Solapur, Deegars, and Miraj. For instance, in Deegars, Congress leader Manikrao Thackeray faces a challenge from Uddhav Thackeray’s ally Pawan Jaiswal, while in Miraj, Congress’s Mohan Wankhede is competing against Uddhav’s candidate, Tanaji Satpute. Allegations have emerged that Sanjay Raut sold seats to the Sharad Pawar group, only adding to the internal strife.

Despite efforts to smooth tensions, local Congress leaders reportedly remain displeased with the candidate lineup, resulting in protests and demands for change. The Uddhav Thackeray faction has also encountered issues, with misprinted candidate lists fueling discontent in both the Congress and Thackeray camps.

Smaller Parties Go Independent

MVA allies like the Peasants and Workers Party and the Samajwadi Party have voiced frustration over their perceived marginalization in seat allocations. The Samajwadi Party, led by Akhilesh Yadav, has announced candidates independently in constituencies such as Malegaon Central and Dhule City, further straining alliance unity. Ironically, while the MVA criticizes the BJP for neglecting allies, it has struggled to secure sufficient seats for its smaller partners.

Internal Rift Between Patole and Raut

Congress President Nana Patole reportedly clashed with Sanjay Raut of Uddhav’s faction over prematurely promoting Uddhav as the MVA’s chief ministerial candidate. Congress leaders argue this goes against the norm of announcing such candidates before elections, with former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan warning that it could threaten alliance cohesion.

Haryana’s Election Impact

MVA leaders were initially buoyed by their Lok Sabha performance, but Congress’s momentum has faltered following the recent Haryana elections. Thackeray and Pawar supporters now seem ready to capitalize on Congress’s ebbing influence by fielding their candidates in critical districts. A rise in independent candidates with ties to the MVA further complicates the coalition’s voter appeal.

MVA’s Precarious Position

Despite past successes in the Lok Sabha elections, demands for assembly seats among MVA members have intensified. Regional parties like AIMIM and the Samajwadi Party are entering the contest, and the Aam Aadmi Party may also compete in select constituencies. This fragile balance, fueled by local leaders’ ambitions and competing candidates, has placed the MVA’s stability at risk. Although no official split has been declared, the alliance’s future looks uncertain as independents prepare to contest throughout Maharashtra.

Control Slips from Pawar’s Hands

Sharad Pawar, once a leading force in Maharashtra’s political landscape, now appears to struggle with the coalition’s diverging agendas. Congress’s insistence on prioritizing allies reportedly prompted Rahul Gandhi to leave an MVA meeting in protest. Overconfidence among local leaders has led to heightened dissent, with critics suggesting it stems from a misplaced sense of autonomy.

Mahayuti Shows Unity Amidst MVA Instability

In contrast, the Mahayuti alliance, led by the BJP, has displayed notable cohesion. The BJP has strategically deployed local leaders to support the Shiv Sena faction under Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar’s NCP group, ensuring that seats remain unified within the alliance despite internal shifts. This coordination has fortified Mahayuti’s position as a serious challenger, casting doubts on the MVA’s ability to present a cohesive front in the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections.

Source: https://www.oneindia.com/mumbai/seat-sharing-standoff-mva-allies-challenge-each-other-in-key-constituencies-3973313.html