In a recent development that has intensified tensions within Maharashtra’s political landscape, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray has openly criticized Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar for honoring Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Thackeray labeled Shinde as “anti-Maharashtra” and equated actions against the state to being “anti-national.”
This criticism arose after Sharad Pawar felicitated Eknath Shinde, a move that has caused friction within the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance. Aaditya Thackeray expressed his disapproval, stating, “Those who are anti-Maharashtra are anti-nationals. We cannot honor such persons who indulge in such dirty work. This goes against our principles. I am not aware of his (Sharad Pawar’s) principles.”
The backdrop to this controversy is rooted in the political upheaval of 2022, when Eknath Shinde led a faction that split from the Shiv Sena, resulting in the collapse of Uddhav Thackeray’s government. This split was facilitated with the support of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), leading to the formation of a new government under Shinde’s leadership.
The recent felicitation by Sharad Pawar has been perceived by many within the MVA as a betrayal, especially given the history of political realignments in the state. Aaditya Thackeray’s remarks underscore the deepening rift and the challenges the alliance faces in maintaining unity amidst differing perspectives.
In a related development, Aaditya Thackeray met with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Delhi. Their discussions encompassed the current political turmoil and included concerns about the Election Commission’s conduct during elections. Thackeray also met with former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, whose Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) recently faced a significant defeat in the assembly polls.
The MVA, comprising the Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP, and Congress, has been experiencing internal strains, especially after the ruling Mahayuti alliance of BJP, Shiv Sena, and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP secured a dominant victory in the recent assembly elections. The Mahayuti alliance won 235 out of 288 seats, while the MVA managed to secure only 50 seats.
Further compounding the alliance’s challenges, the Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece, ‘Saamana,’ hinted at the possibility of contesting the upcoming Mumbai civic polls independently, rather than as part of the MVA coalition. This suggestion has added to the speculation about the future cohesion of the alliance.
Senior Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar also contributed to the internal discourse by attributing the alliance’s poor performance in the assembly elections to prolonged seat-sharing negotiations, which he claimed wasted crucial time during the campaign.
The felicitation of Eknath Shinde by Sharad Pawar has undeniably stirred the political waters in Maharashtra. Aaditya Thackeray’s strong condemnation reflects the deep-seated tensions and the complex dynamics within the state’s political alliances. As Maharashtra approaches the Mumbai civic polls, the evolving relationships among these key political players will be pivotal in shaping the state’s political future.
