Maharashtra Elections-2024: Tensions Brew Over Nagpur Seats as Congress and NCP Clash for Dominance, Is Unity of MVA in Jeopardy?

(Contributed by Prakash Kumar Pandey)

Maharashtra Elections-2024: As the Mahavikas Aghadi (MVA) faces growing internal friction, tensions have surfaced between Congress and Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena over the South Nagpur seat. But the battle extends further, with a fresh conflict erupting between Congress and Sharad Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) over the East Nagpur seat.

In a recent meeting, Abhijit Wanjari, the sitting MLA for Nagpur East, emphasized that the seat should remain with Congress in the upcoming elections. He hinted at adopting the “Sangli pattern” if the seat allocation didn’t go in Congress' favor, a statement that has rattled the Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction.

What is Sangli Pattern

The “Sangli pattern” refers to the defection of Vishal Patil during the last Lok Sabha elections. Patil, the grandson of former Maharashtra Chief Minister Vasantdada Patil, contested as a rebel candidate against the MVA’s official nominee. Although he was with Congress at the time, his decision to oppose the MVA’s Shiv Sena candidate led to a major embarrassment and an eventual defeat for the alliance. Despite later extending his support to the INDIA alliance, the damage to the MVA had already been done.

Wanjari’s reference to the Sangli pattern is seen as a veiled threat that Congress might adopt similar tactics if their demands for the Nagpur East seat are not met.

NCP Reacts to Congress’ Claim on Nagpur East

Sharad Pawar's NCP, led by its Nagpur city president Duneshwar Pethe, quickly organized a meeting of its officials following Wanjari’s remarks. Pethe condemned Wanjari’s statement, pointing out that the decision on seat allocation would be made by MVA’s top leadership. He also emphasized that Congress’ unilateral claim to all six Nagpur seats was causing friction both locally and at the state level.

Pethe reminded Wanjari that coalition politics demands cooperation, and any decision regarding seat allocation should be made in consultation with all MVA constituents. He stressed that if Congress gets the seat, NCP will work within the framework of the coalition, but if the NCP is allotted the seat, Congress should respect the coalition’s principles as well.

Congress’ Historical Stronghold in Nagpur East

Nagpur East has long been a bastion for Congress, a point that Wanjari highlighted during the party meeting. He mentioned that former leaders such as Satish Chaturvedi, Avinash Pandey, Yadavrao Devgade, and Purushottam Hazare had all contributed to the party’s strength in the constituency. Wanjari himself has been working diligently to ensure Congress’ presence remains strong.

He acknowledged that Congress didn’t perform well in the Lok Sabha elections, but expressed confidence that they could win the upcoming assembly elections. Wanjari called for party unity, stating that all 14 Congress members who have applied for candidature from Nagpur East will work together, regardless of who ultimately secures the ticket.

However, he cautioned that if the seat is allocated to another MVA constituent, it could lead to resentment among Congress workers. He plans to convey this sentiment to Nana Patole, the state president of Congress, emphasizing the party's historical and emotional connection to the Nagpur East seat.

NCP Challenges Cong’s Claim

In response to Wanjari’s comments, Duneshwar Pethe didn’t shy away from issuing his own warning. He stated that if Congress continues to insist on the Sangli pattern, NCP could adopt a similar strategy. Pethe argued that Congress has failed to reclaim the Nagpur East seat from the BJP over the last three elections, and Wanjari himself had shifted his constituency due to previous defeats.

Pethe also reminded Congress of the 2014 elections, where all parties contested independently, and the outcome wasn’t favorable for Congress. It was only in 2019, when NCP and Congress worked together under the MVA banner, that they were able to secure two seats in Nagpur.

The Road Ahead for MVA

Pethe pointed out that the NCP, despite its growing strength, hasn’t been allocated any seat in Nagpur in previous elections. He argued that this time, the party should be given the opportunity to contest in Nagpur East. Pethe’s message was clear: if the NCP doesn’t get a seat, it may no longer adhere to the coalition’s rules, just as Congress is threatening to do.

As MVA’s top leaders deliberate over the distribution of seats, the tensions between Congress and NCP highlight the fragile nature of coalition politics. With both parties unwilling to back down, the battle for Nagpur East may become a flashpoint, testing the unity of the MVA in the upcoming elections.