With the Maharashtra Assembly elections approaching, deep-seated divisions within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, led by senior leaders Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray, are jeopardizing the coalition’s stability. Seat-sharing talks remain unresolved as party members scramble to file nominations, sparking tensions between MVA allies. Congress and Uddhav Thackeray’s faction have clashed in several key constituencies, leading to the unexpected scenario of allied candidates contesting against one another. For instance, in Deegars, Congress leader Manikrao Thackeray faces a challenge from Uddhav’s ally Pawan Jaiswal, while similar confrontations are unfolding in Paranda, Miraj, and Bhaykhala.
The internal discord is compounded by reports of candidate dissatisfaction, protests, and allegations of seat manipulation, with some local Congress members accusing Sanjay Raut of selling seats to Pawar’s faction. Smaller MVA allies, like the Peasants and Workers Party and the Samajwadi Party, have also voiced dissatisfaction, citing limited representation in the seat-sharing allocations. In response, Samajwadi leaders have chosen to field their own candidates in significant constituencies like Malegaon Central and Dhule City, asserting their influence independently of the MVA.
Further tension emerged after Congress President Nana Patole and Uddhav faction leader Sanjay Raut reportedly disagreed over preemptively endorsing Uddhav Thackeray as chief ministerial candidate. Congress leaders, wary of undermining alliance unity, criticized this approach, while Patole emphasized that such decisions are typically withheld until after elections. Additionally, recent election results in Haryana have dampened Congress’s enthusiasm, leading Pawar and Thackeray supporters to advance their candidates as Congress’s influence wanes in several districts. Independent candidates, often associated with the MVA, have also increased, threatening to dilute the alliance’s voter base.
Meanwhile, the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, which includes Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction and Ajit Pawar’s NCP group, has maintained a coordinated approach to seat allocation, positioning it as a formidable opponent. In contrast, the MVA’s internal strife has cast doubts on its ability to unify ahead of the election.
