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Sources say BJP’s alliance companions – Shiv Sena (led by Eknath Shinde) and the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) – are demanding a bigger share of seats of their respective strongholds.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis. (File)
As municipal elections draw nearer in Maharashtra, political equations inside the Mahayuti alliance are starting to shift. In key city centres — Mumbai, Thane, and Pune — the BJP is now exploring the ‘option’ of contesting by itself, say sources. This alteration in route follows inner resistance from alliance companions Shiv Sena (led by Eknath Shinde) and the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), each of whom are demanding a bigger share of seats of their respective strongholds.
In line with supply, senior BJP leaders, together with Union Residence Minister Amit Shah, have taken observe of the impasse. Throughout his current three-day go to to Maharashtra, Shah held essential discussions with each Deputy Chief Ministers – Shinde and Pawar – on seat-sharing methods. In line with sources, Shah has now suggested the state BJP unit to be ready for unbiased contests, particularly within the three high-stake cities. The push for solo fights stems from unresolved variations. In Mumbai, Eknath Shinde is alleged to have demanded a minimal of 107 out of 227 seats, citing the defection of over 100 former Shiv Sena corporators from the Thackeray camp over the previous three years. These leaders joined the Shinde faction on the promise of tickets, and the deputy CM is below stress to ship.
Nonetheless, conceding 107 seats to Shiv Sena would depart BJP with restricted room for negotiation. With different alliance companions like RPI additionally within the combine, BJP leaders fear that their affect and tally may shrink significantly. Notably, the BJP had gained 82 seats independently within the earlier BMC election, making it the one largest occasion.
Amit Shah reportedly made it clear that seat changes of this magnitude should not possible with out compromising BJP’s electoral standing. In Pune, Ajit Pawar’s NCP has equally staked declare to a big variety of seats, asserting its historic presence and cadre energy. However not like in Mumbai, the NCP lacks a comparable base within the metropolis, which has made negotiations additional sophisticated. Sources aware of the discussions reveal that Shah has floated a brand new method — contest independently in main city centres like Mumbai, Thane, and Pune, whereas evaluating alliances in different areas based mostly on native dynamics. The identical has been communicated to state leaders, together with CM Devendra Fadnavis, who has himself acknowledged the necessity for self-reliance in some constituencies.
In the meantime, the Supreme Courtroom has directed that native physique elections be held inside the subsequent 4 months, setting the stage for a monsoon or post-monsoon electoral battle. As each ruling and opposition blocs start groundwork, BJP’s recalibrated technique alerts a brand new section in Maharashtra’s city politics. The Mahavikas Aghadi too seems fragmented, giving BJP additional motive to check its energy by itself in key cities. The times forward could witness every Mahayuti companion selecting its personal battleground — collectively in spirit, however separate on the poll.
