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Shiv Sena (UBT) to Contest Local Elections Independently; MVA's Stability Questioned

It was stated by party leaders that the decision was influenced by the belief that alliances in local polls often prevent workers from gaining electoral opportunities.

Shiv Sena (UBT) to Contest Local Elections Independently; MVA's Stability Questioned
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The Shiv Sena (UBT) has announced that upcoming local body elections will be contested without an alliance, signaling a significant shift in Maharashtra’s political dynamics. The decision, announced by senior leader Sanjay Raut, has been described as an effort to strengthen the party’s grassroots presence and allow its workers greater participation. This move, however, has raised concerns about the future of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), a coalition that had brought together the Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-SP).

It was stated by party leaders that the decision was influenced by the belief that alliances in local polls often prevent workers from gaining electoral opportunities. The necessity of testing the party’s strength at the grassroots level was emphasized by Raut, who also remarked that alliances could hinder organizational growth.

Although it was clarified by Congress and NCP (SP) leaders that contesting local elections separately is a common practice, cracks in the MVA have reportedly widened following the coalition’s poor performance in the recent assembly elections. Tensions within the alliance have been further exacerbated by mutual blame over the defeat, which saw the MVA securing only 46 out of 288 seats, while the BJP-led Mahayuti coalition claimed 235. Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar has been criticized by Raut for engaging in a blame game over the coalition’s losses. It was also suggested by Raut that those unwilling to cooperate and compromise weaken the alliance. At the national level, the Congress has been held responsible by Raut for ensuring the stability of the INDIA alliance, which, it was pointed out, has yet to convene meetings or appoint a convener since its formation.

Meanwhile, support has been extended by the Shiv Sena (UBT) to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for the upcoming Delhi elections, further highlighting the party’s evolving political strategy. The Congress and NCP (SP), however, have reiterated that local elections are typically fought independently, with the aim of strengthening party bases. It was explained by NCP (SP) leaders that district-level elections during UPA governance were contested separately despite the coalition being in power at the state and central levels. Congress leaders have also indicated internal support for contesting local polls independently, with the final decision left to the party’s high command.

The MVA, which was formed in 2019 to counter the BJP, had initially been viewed as a successful experiment. However, internal challenges were faced when splits in the Shiv Sena and NCP were engineered by Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, respectively, both of whom allied with the BJP. Amid the growing tensions, speculation about the MVA’s disintegration has been fueled by comments from the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. Predictions of significant losses for the Shiv Sena (UBT) in local elections have been made by leaders of the opposing faction. Despite the political upheaval, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has been praised by Raut for maintaining cordial relations across party lines. The acknowledgment of his developmental efforts in Gadchiroli has been noted as a rare gesture of political appreciation.

As the Shiv Sena (UBT) prepares to contest elections independently, the stability of Maharashtra’s political alliances remains uncertain, with key players redefining their strategies.

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