Why the rift in the organized grand alliance? Shiv Sena-BJP’s Jugalbandi, Pawar gets family support

Even before the elections of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in Maharashtra, Mahayuti has divided into two camps. The news of rift between Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was coming since the results of assembly elections, now NCP has also taken a different path. On one hand, there is a tussle between BJP and Shiv Sena for seat sharing, Ajit Pawar is looking for a different path for his Nationalist Congress Party. It is believed that there will be an alliance between Sharad Pawar led NCP (SP). Meaning, it will be interesting to see how the ruling party and the opposition are contesting the elections together.

There are total 227 seats in BMC. Elections are going to be held on January 15. The last date for nomination is 30 December 2025. Dates are fixed but the alliance has not been finalized yet. The two parties of the ruling Mahayuti alliance are not able to agree on seat sharing. Ajit Pawar has moved ahead on the path of ‘Ekla Chalo’. The picture is completely opposite in the Assembly and Lok Sabha. Shiv Sena, NCP and BJP are united there. The equations are different in local elections.

Also read: Maharashtra: Families are uniting, friends are moving apart, what khichdi is being cooked?

What khichdi is cooking between BJP and Shiv Sena?

Eknath Shinde led Shiv Sena is staking claim on about 100 seats. Shiv Sena’s performance in the civic elections has been excellent. BJP is ready to give only 87 seats, because the party itself is aiming to win more than 100 seats. Mumbai BJP President Amit Satam said that agreement has been reached on 207 seats. BJP 128 and Sena 79. The decision on the remaining 20 seats will be taken on the basis of opposition candidates.

Where is the matter getting stuck between Shiv Sena and BJP?

BJP is claiming 7-8 seats which were won by undivided Shiv Sena in 2017. BJP feels that their chances of victory are high there, but Shinde’s Shiv Sena claims that those corporates who had joined their party by taking risk, cannot betray them. The performance of undivided Shiv Sena in BMC has been excellent. Before 2022, the picture was different, Shiv Sena was dominant. Now the situation has changed. BJP is in the role of elder brother. There is no consensus on seat sharing, hence both the parties are not making the names of the candidates public yet.

Also read:Uddhav is losing the battle of inheritance, how did Eknath Shinde become the political heir of Bal Thackeray?

Situations like fights, equations being worked out secretly

Some BMC candidates have been instructed by both parties to prepare their documents. After the nominations on December 30, the complete list and seat distribution will be announced, so that those who do not get tickets are not able to rebel. In other cities like Thane and Mira-Bhayandar too, there is a fight over seats between BJP and Shinde Sena.

Why was Ajit Pawar left alone?

Ajit Pawar’s NCP was not included in the seat sharing talks. BJP has objection against Nawab Malik. Nawab Malik is the one who has visited the jail. He has been controversial in Maharashtra politics. The interesting thing is that Nawab Malik has been made in-charge of Mumbai elections. NCP is now preparing to fight alone and is preparing to field around 100 candidates. NCP leader Sunil Tatkare said that the last meeting will be held on Saturday night and the decision will be announced on Sunday.

Also read: Maharashtra civic elections: Mahayuti won again and again, MVA lost every time, where was the mistake?

Why is BJP irritated with Nawab Malik?

Nawab Malik faces serious allegations of land deals and money laundering related to underworld don Dawood Ibrahim’s sister Haseena Parkar. ED arrested him in 2022. This matter is still in court. BJP sees it as linked to national security. BJP even calls Nawab Malik an agent of Dawood. Nawab Malik is one of the biggest faces in the Ajit Pawar faction. BJP avoids NCP in his name. Due to this, NCP is getting isolated in Mumbai elections. Nawab Malik had also accused Devendra Fadnavis of drug smuggling. Now there is political rivalry between the two.

Mahayuti Bunty, Kya Maha Vikas Aghadi Ek Ho Paya?

The rift in Maha Vikas Aghadi is also now public. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena is getting some seats from Shiv Sena (UBT), but MNS leaders are complaining that they are not being given strong seats. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anil Parab says that the alliance is almost final and efforts are being made to include Sharad Pawar’s NCP(SP) also. Congress is already out of this rapprochement. 30th December is the last date for nomination. 2 days are left but till now there has been no discussion on seat sharing.