Mumbai: With municipal elections on the horizon, there is growing speculation about whether the Maha Vikas Aghadi, which took a drubbing in the assembly elections, is on the verge of a split. This is because leaders from all three parties of the alliance are busy criticising each other for their loss in the assembly elections.
Shiv Sena-UBT Expresses Its Intention To Go Alone
Amidst this blame game, the Shiv Sena UBT has expressed its intention to go it alone in the municipal elections, likely to take place by the end of March. Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar has expressed doubts about the ongoing developments within the Maha Vikas Aghadi, saying events are unfolding so as to benefit the Mahayuti. His remarks seemed to be directed at Congress state president Nana Patole and Shiv Sena UBT leader Sanjay Raut.
Harking back to the recent state poll debacle, Wadettiwar said, “Nana Patole and Sanjay Raut, the two main leaders, were present, and we were also there. But had the seat-sharing issue been resolved in two days, we would have had 18 days for campaigning and planning, which we didn’t get.” Further, he said, “The meeting was supposed to start at 11 am, but it was 2 pm by the time many arrived. I won’t name names, but this delay caused the meeting to run late. The same issues were being repeated for every seat. Had the seat-sharing confusion had been resolved in two days, we would have definitely benefited. Instead, 20 days were spent on seat allocation. There’s no harm in questioning if there was a deliberate attempt to waste time or avoid planning.”
Shiv Sena-UBT Leader Sanjay Raut On The Election Results
Shiv Sena leader and MP Sanjay Raut admitted that the delay in seat-sharing had affected the election results. “For instance,” he said, “in Chandrapur, Independent MLA Kishor Jorgewar was willing to contest with Sharad Pawar’s support and had submitted a letter. It was a winnable seat. However, Congress refused to give up that seat for 17 days. As a result, it went to the NCP. Later, Jorgewar joined the BJP and won. There are several such seats where Congress refused to compromise.” Raut has thus, directly accused Congress of being inflexible during seat-sharing talks.
Wadettiwar is likely to know the factors for the delay in seat-sharing and it is true that the process wasn’t completed until the last day for filing nominations. When seat-sharing in any alliance is delayed, it creates discomfort, and workers do not get enough time to campaign. Raut’s criticism was mainly directed at Congress state president Nana Patole.
There was also discussion at the time about a dispute between Patole and Raut in the matter. It is being reported that there has been no discussion between the three parties ahead of the municipal elections. While Congress and Shiv Sena UBT leaders are busy trading charges, sources have indicated that Nationalist Congress Party founder Sharad Pawar is also upset about the lack of coordination within the MVA. During a meeting of the NCP, MP Amol Kolhe remarked that Congress is not yet ready to accept its defeat and the Sena UBT is yet to fully awaken from its slumber. Whether these three parties stay united or part ways remains the key issue.