Maharashtra: Cracks surface among MVA partners following humiliating defeat of Shiv Sena’s second nominee Sanjay Pawar

Maharashtra: Cracks surface among MVA partners following humiliating defeat of Shiv Sena’s second nominee Sanjay Pawar

Shiv Sena is also unhappy over NCP and Congress for not doing enough to shore up additional votes from independents and legislators of smaller parties for Sanjay Pawar’s win

Sanjay JogUpdated: Sunday, June 12, 2022, 11:45 PM IST
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Sanjay Pawar |

All is not well in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government after the humiliating defeat of Shiv Sena’s second candidate Sanjay Pawar. Shiv Sena has reportedly conveyed its displeasure over not getting second preference votes from independents linked to the ally NCP, in particular. Besides, Shiv Sena is also unhappy with the NCP and the Congress for not doing enough to shore up additional votes of independents and legislators of smaller parties to ensure Sanjay Pawar’s win.

On the other hand, the NCP and the Congress have expressed disappointment over Shiv Sena’s handling of the Rajya Sabha elections and not paying enough attention to keeping tabs on the 13 independents and legislators of smaller parties supporting the MVA government.

The Shiv Sena is sulking ever since the BJP outsmarted it, while the NCP and the Congress insist that the Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray must hold one-on-one meetings with independents and legislators of smaller parties to avoid further embarrassment in the state council election for 10 seats slated for June 20.

Shiv Sena insiders told the Free Press Journal, ‘‘Shiv Sena will expect better floor coordination with the NCP and the Congress. Otherwise, the party has decided that the three partners should take care of their respective legislators in the state council election, instead of passing on excess votes to each other’s candidates.’’

The Shiv Sena, with 55 legislators, can easily secure a win of two of its nominees, while the NCP’s two candidates can bank on its 51 legislators and independents supporting it. However, for the Congress party, with 44 legislators, will need additional votes from the two parties and independents and smaller parties, ensuring the victory of its two nominees.

The quota for council election is 25.91 votes, keeping in mind its strength of 285 members in the state assembly; this equation has been disturbed as Shiv Sena has lost sitting legislator Ramesh Latke, while NCP legislators Nawab Malik and Anil Deshmukh are in jail.

A senior Shiv Sena legislator and former minister argued that ‘‘MVA partners ought to have put up a show of unity, by having a well-oiled strategy, as was the case with the BJP. Shiv Sena should have taken due care to address the grievances of independents and legislators of smaller parties. At the same time, the NCP and the Congress should not have left this task alone to the Sena but also played a proactive role.’’

As expected, NCP chief Sharad Pawar’s move to shower praise over BJP leader and former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis for his ‘’miracle’’ to get independents to his side has not gone down well in Shiv Sena. However, Pawar has made it amply clear that there was no threat to the MVA government.

Meanwhile, Pawar has convened a meeting on Monday to discuss the outcome of the Rajya Sabha election and discuss the strategy for state council election. NCP sources said the meeting will deliberate on coordination among three partners for the victory of two candidates each of NCP, Shiv Sena and Congress.

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