Maharashtra Assembly Election 2024: Internal Frictions Within Mahayuti?

Maharashtra Assembly Election 2024: The nomination process for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections-2024 is officially complete, yet uncertainties persist across several seats. In particular, the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the opposition Mahavikas Aghadi have left certain seats without declared candidates, creating confusion among voters. As the election date nears, the race between the alliances—each grappling with internal challenges and seat-sharing disagreements—has set the stage for an unpredictable election.

Unresolved Seats in Mahayuti Alliance

The Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar's NCP faction, has yet to finalize its candidates for four seats. This delay has led to concerns and speculations among voters and political analysts. The alliance’s apparent indecisiveness might indicate underlying tensions or last-minute efforts to resolve seat-sharing complexities.

With nominations now closed, the Mahayuti's unannounced candidates for these four seats could impact voter confidence, as supporters may feel uncertain about the alliance's preparedness.

Mahavikas Aghadi's Incomplete Candidate List

Meanwhile, the opposition Mahavikas Aghadi alliance, which includes Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena, Sharad Pawar’s NCP, and Congress, has also not declared candidates for 11 seats. Thus far, Congress has announced its candidates for 103 seats, while both Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena and Sharad Pawar's NCP have fielded candidates on 87 seats each. However, the allocation of the remaining seats—potentially earmarked for smaller allies and the Samajwadi Party—remains unclear.

This delay in candidate announcement has raised concerns regarding the alliance’s election readiness. Some believe that negotiations for seat allocation are ongoing, while others speculate about potential issues in forming a cohesive front against the Mahayuti alliance.

Internal Frictions Within Mahayuti

In the lead-up to the election, notable friction has surfaced within the Mahayuti alliance itself. For example, on the Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar seat, a clash emerged over candidate selection. Nawab Malik, representing Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction, filed a nomination for the seat, only to find that BJP had endorsed Bullet Patil from the Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction as the official candidate.

This overlap has led BJP leader Kirit Somaiya to declare support for Bullet Patil on social media, framing the choice as an essential stand against "vote jihad" and terrorism. These internal conflicts may reflect deeper strategic differences within Mahayuti, possibly challenging the alliance’s unity and effectiveness.

Independent Candidates on the Rise

Due to the unresolved seat allocations and internal conflicts, a number of leaders are now considering contesting independently. Nawab Malik, initially an independent candidate from the Mankhurd seat, was later declared the official NCP candidate by Ajit Pawar’s faction. Similarly, BJP spokesperson Shaina NC is running from the Mumbadevi constituency on a Shiv Sena ticket, despite contention from other BJP leaders who have also expressed interest in the seat.

This surge in independent candidacies points to growing dissatisfaction and a lack of cohesion within the alliances, with key leaders unwilling to forego their claims to specific seats. The influx of independent candidates could potentially split votes, especially within party loyalist groups, and complicate the election outcome for the Mahayuti and Mahavikas Aghadi alliances alike.

Record-Breaking Nominations

A total of 10,905 nomination papers have been filed for 288 seats in the Maharashtra Assembly, highlighting the intense competition and heightened voter interest. With elections scheduled for November 20 and results set for announcement on November 23, political analysts predict a gripping contest fueled by voter uncertainty and alliance fragmentation.

In this election, the absence of clear candidates in several key constituencies has added to the intrigue. Voters are navigating an election environment marked by shifting alliances, last-minute decisions, and prominent independent candidates. Amid these complexities, the Maharashtra Assembly Election 2024 promises to be a captivating chapter in the state’s political landscape.

(PRAKASH KUMAR PANDEY)