Nashik: After achieving a landslide victory in the North Maharashtra Assembly elections, while the BJP, a major component of the grand alliance, has focused on bringing in big leaders from opposition parties, the Shinde Sena is now also focusing on increasing its strength on its own. The North Maharashtra-level meeting organised by Shinde's Shiv Sena on Monday, keeping in mind the upcoming local body elections, is part of this strategy. Sources said that the Shinde Sena has taken a stance that if the BJP takes the role of 'Ekla Chalo Re', it will not be left behind.
Politically, the BJP's position in North Maharashtra, which includes the four districts of Nashik, Dhule, Nandurbar and Jalgaon, is very strong. Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party and the Shinde Sena are the main components of the alliance. Both Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde know from the current party expansion policy of BJP leaders that they may come to the mindset of contesting the elections of local bodies on its own tomorrow. The Shinde Sena has five MLAs in Jalgaon district, two in Nashik and one in Nandurbar. There are five municipal corporations, four district councils, municipalities, nagar panchayats and panchayat committees in North Maharashtra. There is no doubt that all three parties in the grand alliance will use their strength to prove their dominance in this. That is why Eknath Shinde's party is in the mindset of preparing on its own for these elections without considering the grand alliance.
Shinde has cabinet ministers like Gulabrao Patil in Jalgaon and Dada Bhuse in Nashik. The strength of his party is visible in Nashik and Jalgaon urban areas. Many leaders and office bearers of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) group are preferring the Shinde Sena along with the BJP for political convenience. Former MLA Shirish Chaudhary is also preparing to join the Shinde Sena. In the North Maharashtra-level meeting held on Monday, Minister Uday Samant, Dada Bhuse and party secretary Sanjay More sought the opinions of MLAs, office bearers and key leaders. This led to a discussion on what to do if there is a possibility of contesting the elections on its own. Everyone's attention is on what decision the party leadership takes after this meeting.
Possibility of a fight between BJP, Shinde Sena and NCP
The BJP's position is strong in North Maharashtra. Ajit Pawar's NCP has a good hold in the rural areas of Nashik and Jalgaon districts. The Shinde Sena also has eight MLAs. The organisational strength of the Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP) and the Congress in the MVA (Maha Vikas Aghadi) has been shattered. Considering this, if the constituent parties in the Mahayuti decide to test their strength separately, the possibility of a fight between the BJP, Shinde Sena and NCP in many places cannot be ruled out.
