Uncertainty is constantly increasing in the politics of Maharashtra, leaving many unsure about the future. Amid ongoing tensions over seat-sharing, whispers of 'Ekla Chalo' have emerged from the Maha Vikas Aghadi, the alliance of opposition parties preparing for the assembly elections.
Former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena has already indicated its intention to contest the Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections independently.
Similar sentiments are now resonating within the ruling Mahayuti coalition. Reports suggest that alongside the BJP, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar's NCP are considering the prospect of contesting the civic elections on their own. Following a larger-than-expected success in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, the BJP is feeling buoyant.
Preparations Underway in BJP
The BJP has already started preparing to capture the state's power on its own in the year 2029. Its foundation can be laid during the civic elections to be held in the near future. Even though BJP has announced to contest all the civic elections including Mumbai Municipal Corporation as Mahayuti, sources claim that BJP has planned to field as many of its candidates as possible in the civic elections.
In such a situation, in case of ups and downs in the distribution of seats, as a second option, the possibilities of contesting the elections on their own are being reviewed and brainstormed in BJP meetings.
Amit Shah's Strategic Vision
The BJP's strategy of 'Ekla Chalo' has been in the works for some time, even before the assembly elections. Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized that while the BJP will contest the 2024 elections as part of the Mahayuti, the party aims to independently govern Maharashtra by 2029. During a review meeting on October 1, 2024, Shah asserted that the Mahayuti would secure power in 2024, but by 2029, the BJP would form the government autonomously.
BJP's Membership Campaign
The BJP's aggressive membership campaign has sparked concern among the Mahayuti's constituent parties, particularly for Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar's NCP. Recently, the BJP achieved its target of enrolling 1 crore members in Maharashtra, with plans to add an additional 15 lakh members in the coming weeks. BJP Maharashtra state president and revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has stated that participation in the membership campaign will be a key criterion for candidates wishing to run in the municipal elections.
Shinde and Ajit Exercise Caution
In light of the BJP's expanding membership, constituent parties within the Mahayuti are becoming increasingly cautious. The Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) and NCP under Ajit Pawar are now working on plans to bolster their party presence and are actively searching for strong candidates to counter the BJP's influence.
Prakash Kumar Pandey
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