Following a report in the RSS-affiliated weekly ‘Vivek’ that blamed the BJP’s poor performance in the Maharashtra Lok Sabha elections on their alliance with Ajit Pawar-led NCP, Sharad Pawar’s faction of the NCP has claimed this was a subtle message to the deputy chief minister to leave the ‘Mahayuti’ alliance. The report in ‘Vivek’ observed a significant shift in public sentiment against the BJP after their 2023 alliance with the NCP.
NCP (SP) spokesperson Clyde Crasto, referencing the ‘Vivek’ report, stated that the BJP has recognized the detrimental impact of their partnership with Ajit Pawar on their prospects in the upcoming Assembly elections. He highlighted the split within the NCP in 2023 when Ajit Pawar joined the Shinde-led government along with a section of party MLAs loyal to him. Crasto asserted that the people of Maharashtra overwhelmingly voted for the NCP (SP) and that the BJP’s cautious approach stems from their desire to win the elections. However, he believes the alliance with Ajit Pawar’s NCP will lead to their defeat, similar to the Lok Sabha polls. Crasto suggested that the ‘Vivek’ article serves as a tactic to distance the BJP from Ajit Pawar, potentially prompting him to leave the ‘Mahayuti’ alliance.
Crasto further emphasized that the decision to include Ajit Pawar has negatively impacted the BJP, resulting in a significant loss of Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra. He argued that the public disapproval of the BJP’s partnerships with both the NCP and the Shinde-led Shiv Sena reflects the current reality of Maharashtra’s electoral landscape.
The weekly ‘Vivek’ highlighted discontent among BJP members, citing a general disapproval of the alliance with Ajit Pawar’s NCP. Their report, based on interviews with over 200 individuals from various professions, suggests that the unrest within the party cadre due to this alliance is just the tip of the iceberg.
The BJP’s seat count in Maharashtra plummeted from 23 in 2019 to just nine in the recent Lok Sabha polls. Their ally, the Shiv Sena, secured seven seats, while the NCP, led by deputy CM Ajit Pawar, only managed to win one constituency. In contrast, the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), comprising the Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP), and the Congress, delivered a strong performance, collectively winning 30 out of the 48 seats. (With inputs from PTI)
