Four individuals in their 60s have embarked on new political careers as first-time Members of Parliament from Maharashtra. Piyush Goyal (60), Anil Desai (67), Shahu Chhatrapati (76), and Kirsan Namdeo (65) represent a new wave of seasoned leaders who are shaping the political landscape of the state. Despite their advanced age, these individuals possess a wealth of experience and are committed to serving their constituencies.
In the midst of ongoing Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra, opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders have made revelations regarding the earlier political landscape, particularly concerning the appointment of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in 2019. Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Sanjay Raut has alleged that senior leaders from both the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had expressed reservations about Shinde’s potential as Chief Minister at the time. Raut claimed that when the undivided Shiv Sena, led by Uddhav Thackeray, entered an alliance with the Congress and the NCP, several prominent leaders from both parties opposed Shinde’s appointment as CM, with some reportedly stating their unwillingness to work under his leadership due to his perceived inexperience. Raut also asserted that even within the BJP, senior leaders such as Devendra Fadnavis, Girish Mahajan, and Sudhir Mungantiwar had conveyed their reluctance to see Shinde as Chief Minister. Meanwhile, in a separate interview, NCP chief Sharad Pawar has stated that his party would have faced a split in 2004 had Chhagan Bhujbal been chosen as Chief Minister over him. These revelations have added a layer of intrigue to the ongoing electoral campaign, with both the MVA and the ruling Mahayuti coalition seeking to sway voters ahead of the crucial final phase of the Lok Sabha polls on May 20th.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has once again targeted former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, accusing him of abandoning his father’s Hindutva ideals. Addressing a rally in Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg, Shah dared Thackeray to take Hindutva ideologue V.D. Savarkar’s name in his speeches, asserting that the real Shiv Sena belonged to Eknath Shinde. Shah also criticized Thackeray for allying with the Congress and NCP, questioning his support for Muslim Personal Law and Article 370. The BJP is looking to wrest the Konkan region, which has a significant number of Thackeray supporters, in the upcoming elections.
Despite a scorching heatwave, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance held a two-hour public rally in Jalgaon, Maharashtra. The rally saw NCP (SP) leaders, including Jayant Patil and Rohini Khadse, file nominations for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Rohini Khadse, who is contesting against her sister-in-law Raksha Khadse, emphasized fighting against the BJP’s ideology and addressing issues such as farmer welfare and unemployment. The rally highlighted the ongoing political battles in Maharashtra, where family ties and political differences intersect.
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Ajit Pawar has joined hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena, forming the ‘Mahayuti’ alliance. While aligning with the NDA, the NCP maintains its own ideology and has released a manifesto that includes promises to conduct a caste census, provide minimum support prices for farmers, and address the needs of minorities. The party’s manifesto and strategic alliances demonstrate its efforts to expand its voter base and navigate the complex political landscape in Maharashtra.
The upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra have taken an intriguing turn due to the splits within Shiv Sena and the NCP, adding to the state’s history of dynamic political alliances.
In a significant political development, Abu Azmi, the state president of the Samajwadi Party (SP) and an MLA from Maharashtra, is reportedly set to join the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), led by Ajit Pawar. This move comes amidst speculations that Azmi is dissatisfied with the state leadership of the SP and has been holding meetings with NCP leaders. Sources claim that a senior BJP leader is mediating Azmi’s entry into the ruling alliance, which could potentially benefit the alliance by gaining minority votes in Mumbai.
Maharashtra’s Sangli Lok Sabha constituency will witness a three-way contest as Congress leader Vishal Patil has defied his party’s directive to withdraw his nomination. Patil will face incumbent MP Sanjaykaka Patil of the BJP and Chandrahar Patil of the Shiv Sena (UBT), part of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi. Despite requests from the Congress to step down, Patil has refused, leading to potential disciplinary action. The contest has escalated tensions within the opposition alliance, with the Shiv Sena demanding action against Patil’s rebellion.
