Nashik: In Northern Maharashtra, political rifts within major alliances—the ruling Mahayuti and opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA)—are threatening to disrupt both coalitions’ election strategies. As the November 20 Assembly elections draw closer, candidates from both alliances who felt overlooked for official tickets have filed nominations as independents, creating additional challenges for their parties.
In Nashik, for instance, tensions have surfaced between Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT). Congress workers in Igatpuri have refused to support Laki Jadhav, the official Congress candidate, citing that he is an outsider from Sangamner. According to local Congress worker Gopal Lahange, “We wanted a local candidate who understands our issues,” underscoring the sentiment among party members unwilling to campaign for Jadhav. Additionally, in Nashik Central, Shiv Sena (UBT) fielded former MLA Vasant Gite, which led Congress’s Hemlata Patil to contest independently. Congress’s local representative Suresh Maru stated, “We tried to secure the official AB form for Patil, but it was denied,” a move that left Congress’s grassroots supporters alienated.
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This pattern of dissent is not limited to Nashik. In Nandgaon, former NCP president Sameer Bhujbal resigned to run as an independent against Shiv Sena’s Suhas Kande. Similarly, in Chandwad, BJP’s Keda Aher filed independently after the BJP favored the sitting MLA Rahul Aher. Jalgaon and Shahada constituencies have also seen rebel candidates emerge.
Even prominent figures have turned against their parties. In Mumbai, former BJP MLA Gopal Shetty filed as an independent against the BJP’s Sanjay Upadhyay in Borivali, while Shiv Sena’s Kishanchand Tanwani withdrew in favor of a candidate from Chief Minister Shinde’s faction. Observers suggest this surge in independents may realign political dynamics as the elections approach. According to political analyst Abhay Deshpande, “The complex alliance arrangements between the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP have created frustrations among loyalists.” This rebellion reflects dissatisfaction within Maharashtra’s major coalitions, potentially reshaping power in a few key constituencies.
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