In a significant political realignment in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray have formally announced an electoral alliance for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other municipal polls. This move, however, has sparked intense speculation about the future of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition, which includes the Congress and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP-SP alongside the Uddhav faction.
MVA Leaders Unfazed, Assert Coalition's Stability
Despite the new partnership between the two Thackeray-led parties, senior leaders from the MVA constituents have moved quickly to scotch rumours of the alliance falling apart. They maintain that the MVA remains a united front for larger electoral battles, such as the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections, even if its partners are contesting separately in the civic polls.
Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant clarified that the party's immediate focus is the civic elections, where it has decided to go solo. "At this moment, we are busy only with civic elections. In civic elections, parties fight against each other and that is what is happening in Mumbai," Sawant stated. He downplayed concerns about the MVA's future, noting that Assembly and Lok Sabha elections are still far away. However, he reiterated the Maharashtra Congress's longstanding position that it would not ally with Uddhav Sena if it joined hands with the MNS.
Echoing this sentiment, Baramati MP and NCP-SP working president Supriya Sule asserted that the MVA's future is not uncertain. "No, I don't think MVA future is uncertain. MVA will remain intact," Sule told The Indian Express. She revealed that her party is currently in dialogue with both the Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) for a possible alliance in the Mumbai civic body polls.
Shiv Sena (UBT) Confident, Sees MNS in MVA's Future
Shiv Sena (UBT) has been the most vocal in dismissing any notion of the MVA disintegrating. Party spokesperson Sanjay Raut emphatically stated, "Maha Vikas Aghadi will remain intact. MVA is not for civic elections; it is supposed to fight bigger elections like the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections." In a bold prediction, Raut added, "In fact, MNS will be part of the MVA in future elections."
Raut expressed disappointment over the Congress's decision to contest the Mumbai civic polls alone, revealing that the Uddhav Sena had reached out to the Congress's national leadership and even offered them 70-80 seats in Mumbai, an offer which was declined.
Electoral Calculations and Confident Predictions
The political discourse now revolves around the potential impact of this new alliance. Congress MLC Satej Patil acknowledged that while the MVA is not together in Mumbai for these polls, it will remain united elsewhere. He expressed confidence that the Congress will perform well and play a major role in the BMC.
Sanjay Raut, however, countered the Congress's optimism, suggesting their hope for North Indian votes may not materialize as expected. He predicted the Congress would end up with only 15-20 corporators. Conversely, he exuded confidence in the Sena (UBT)-MNS combine, stating they would "come out with flying colours."
Raut painted a picture of a resurgent Marathi identity, claiming, "With the coming together of Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, the entire atmosphere will change in Mumbai. The Marathi Manoos will feel that his hands have been strengthened and therefore Sena and MNS alliance would emerge triumphant. A Marathi Manoos will become the Mayor."
As Mumbai gears up for its crucial municipal elections, this alliance marks a dramatic shift in the city's political landscape. While it has introduced immediate friction within the MVA over local polls, the coalition's major partners are publicly committed to keeping it alive for the state and national political arena, setting the stage for complex multi-cornered contests in the future.
