A new twist in Maharashtra politics came when Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-SP) chief Sharad Pawar honored Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. After this incident, internal differences in Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) became deeper.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Delhi. It is being told that the two leaders discussed the election process and the allegations against the Election Commission. Apart from this, on Thursday, Aditya Thackeray also met Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal.
Why dispute over Sharad Pawar’s decision?
Sharad Pawar honored Eknath Shinde with ‘Mahadji Shinde Rashtra Gaurav Award’ established by Pune -based NGO ‘Sarhad’.
This honor became controversial because Eknath Shinde rebelled in Shiv Sena in 2022 and demolished Uddhav Thackeray’s government. He also gained control over Shiv Sena after becoming Chief Minister with BJP’s support.
The parties involved in the MVA coalition-Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress and NCP-SP-seem angry with this decision. Uddhav Thackeray faction called Shinde a ‘traitor’, so honoring Sharad Pawar to him is creating a situation of mistrust in the coalition.
Aditya Thackeray’s political meetings in Delhi
Meeting Rahul Gandhi:
- The allegations against the Election Commission were discussed.
- Expressed concern over electoral irregularities.
Conversation with Arvind Kejriwal:
- The meeting took place after the Aam Aadmi Party defeat in the Delhi assembly elections.
- Thackeray said,
“Governments keep on coming, but relationships remain intact. Our democracy is not independent and fair. “
Mantle on the future of opposition India alliance:
- Sanjay Raut and Priyanka Chaturvedi of Shiv Sena (UBT) were also present.
- The strategy of MVA and India coalition was discussed in the upcoming elections.
Aditya Thackeray’s big allegation on Election Commission
Thackeray accused the Election Commission of rigging the voter list.
He said that there have been large -scale disturbances in many states including Maharashtra, Haryana, Odisha and Delhi.
“The Election Commission has taken away the right to vote from the people and is not ready to discuss this issue.”
He also said that the opposition will formally raise it as fair elections are necessary for the country.
The path ahead for MVA is difficult
The Mahayuti alliance (BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP-Azit Pawar faction) is in a strong position in Maharashtra.
In the 2024 assembly elections, Mahayuti won 235 out of 288 seats, while MVA got only 50 seats.
MVA was united and expected to perform a tremendous performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, but the latest decision of Sharad Pawar could increase differences in the alliance.
Now it has to be seen whether the opposition can overcome this political confusion or there is a new split in MVA.
