The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition in Maharashtra, composed of Sharad Pawar’s NCP, Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena faction, and the Congress, faces unprecedented turmoil as divisions threaten its survival. Despite its initial success, the alliance’s stability is at stake, with deep rifts surfacing just before the assembly elections. Recent events have exposed significant tensions among the coalition partners, sparking doubts about the MVA’s ability to govern Maharashtra cohesively.
Fissures in the Alliance: Unsettled Seat-Sharing and Rival Candidates
The MVA is grappling with internal conflicts over candidate selections. All three primary parties — Congress, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction), and NCP — have fielded candidates against each other in key constituencies. This is evident in constituencies like Paranda, South Solapur, Deegars, and Miraj. For example, in Deegars, Congress leader Manikrao Thackeray is up against Pawan Jaiswal from the Uddhav Thackeray faction. Such rivalry has cast doubt over the alliance’s solidarity, with many questioning if the coalition can survive until the election, let alone govern effectively.
Adding to the friction are accusations that Sanjay Raut, a senior leader from the Uddhav Thackeray faction, allegedly “sold” seats to Sharad Pawar’s group. Congress has also raised concerns about candidates being sidelined, leading to protests and further strain within the MVA. Despite attempts to calm the situation, the internal discord remains unaddressed, and tensions continue to escalate.
Smaller Allies Strike Out on Their Own
Traditional MVA allies, like the Peasants and Workers Party and the Samajwadi Party, have voiced dissatisfaction over seat allocations. Feeling marginalized in seat-sharing discussions, these smaller allies are opting to run their candidates in strongholds like Malegaon Central and Dhule City. This decision reveals the MVA’s failure to accommodate even minimal demands from its smaller partners, casting doubt on the coalition’s leadership and capacity for unity.
Clashes Between Congress and Thackeray Factions
A significant clash has erupted between Congress President Nana Patole and Sanjay Raut. Patole reportedly expressed frustration over Raut’s push to prematurely endorse Uddhav Thackeray as the MVA’s chief ministerial candidate, a move Congress deems unorthodox before elections. Former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan also voiced his discontent, arguing that this lobbying undermines the alliance’s unity. This intra-coalition power struggle has intensified mistrust and disunity within the MVA.
Recent Setbacks and the Impact of Haryana Election Results
While the MVA initially saw success in the Lok Sabha elections, Congress’s diminishing influence following the Haryana election results has dampened spirits. Thackeray and Pawar supporters, sensing an opportunity, have started positioning their candidates in critical constituencies, further weakening the alliance’s unity. Independent candidates, many with MVA connections, are also increasing, threatening to dilute the coalition’s voter base in Maharashtra.
A Precarious Future: MVA’s Struggle for Relevance
Although the MVA once enjoyed considerable success, the coalition’s stability appears tenuous with the Maharashtra assembly elections looming. Regional parties like the AIMIM and Samajwadi Party have announced their intent to contest independently, with even the Aam Aadmi Party considering entry. The MVA’s struggle to keep its members united has led to heightened seat demands and competing candidates within the coalition. Despite no official declaration of a breakup, the MVA’s viability is in serious question as rivalries emerge across the state.
Sharad Pawar’s Influence Waning Over MVA Dynamics
Sharad Pawar, who once held significant sway within the MVA, appears increasingly unable to control the coalition’s diverging interests. Congress’s frustration reportedly led Rahul Gandhi to exit an MVA meeting. The coalition’s members, buoyed by an inflated sense of autonomy, are increasingly willing to challenge established norms, further eroding the MVA’s unity.
A United Opposition: Mahayuti’s Coordination Outshines MVA’s Fragmentation
While the MVA struggles, the Mahayuti alliance, led by the BJP, has demonstrated a stark contrast in unity and coordination. The BJP has effectively allocated local leaders to bolster the Shiv Sena faction under Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar’s NCP group. This unified approach has ensured stability within the alliance, strengthening Mahayuti’s position as a formidable opponent in the Maharashtra assembly elections.
Conclusion
As the Maharashtra assembly elections approach, the MVA’s internal discord and lack of coordination have placed the coalition in a precarious position. Deep divisions over seat-sharing, competing candidates, and unresolved power struggles are threatening the alliance’s stability. In contrast, the Mahayuti alliance has managed to present a unified front, raising doubts about the MVA’s prospects in the upcoming elections. Unless the coalition can quickly address these issues, the MVA’s chances of effectively challenging the BJP and its allies in Maharashtra seem slim.
