Is the MVA alliance in Maharashtra coming to an end? Sanjay Nirupam of the Congress urges his party to sever ties, while the VBA introduces candidates against Shiv Sena, prompting tensions within the alliance.

by Omkar Mudage / 27-03-2024 / comments

The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance in Maharashtra is on the brink of collapse due to contention over seat-distribution for the Lok Sabha elections.

The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance in Maharashtra is facing a crisis over seat distribution for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Although the formal announcement of seat-sharing is pending, Shiv Sena, led by Uddhav Thackeray, has released its initial list of 16 candidates, causing friction within the alliance. This move has particularly irked the Congress party, as Shiv Sena has nominated candidates for seats that Congress claims as its own.

Sanjay Nirupam, a prominent figure in Congress, has strongly criticized Shiv Sena's unilateral actions, urging the party to reconsider the alliance in Maharashtra. He expressed dismay over Shiv Sena's decision to announce candidates for key Mumbai seats without consensus, alleging that this move disregarded Congress' interests and could upset Congress supporters.

Nirupam also targeted Shiv Sena's candidate from Mumbai North West, Amol Kirtikar, accusing him of involvement in corrupt activities related to the Covid Khichdi scam. This accusation further strained relations between the two parties, with Nirupam calling for a decisive stance from Congress leadership.

The disagreement over seat allocation extended to Sangli, a historically significant constituency for Congress in Western Maharashtra. Despite ongoing discussions, Shiv Sena announced candidates for Sangli and Mumbai seats, disregarding Congress' aspirations in these areas.

The Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), led by Prakash Ambedkar, also entered the fray by announcing candidates for eight Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra. Ambedkar criticized MVA allies for exploiting his party for dynastic politics and accused them of lacking transparency in negotiations.

The VBA's decision to field candidates added to the complexity of seat-sharing dynamics, prompting concerns about vote division that could benefit the BJP. NCP's Clyde Crasto expressed disappointment over VBA's actions, highlighting the potential ramifications on the electoral landscape.

Overall, the seat distribution dispute within the MVA alliance reflects broader tensions and power struggles among political parties in Maharashtra ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.