Kumar Bahukhandi
Ajit Pawar, file photo Credit : @AjitPawarSpeaks
The complaint filed by Maharashtra BJP leaders against Ajit Pawar shows that internal tension is increasing in the Mahayuti. Ajit Pawar is accused of supporting BJP opponents.
There is a political uproar in Maharashtra once again. This time the reason is Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. BJP MLAs and ministers have approached Union Home Minister Amit Shah with a complaint against Maharashtra Deputy CM and NCP chief Ajit Pawar. It has been alleged that Ajit Pawar is supporting the opponents of BJP leaders and officials.
In fact, Amit Shah was on a tour of Maharashtra from 25 to 27 May. Now BJP ministers and MLAs claim that Ajit Pawar is strengthening the candidates who defeated the BJP in the 2024 elections. This may weaken the party’s position in the upcoming local body elections.
This once again indicates that tension is increasing within the Mahayuti. The tension between the BJP and Ajit Pawar’s NCP is particularly evident in West Maharashtra and Marathwada, where both parties have a strong presence. In the 2024 assembly elections, the BJP won 28 out of 70 seats in West Maharashtra, while the NCP won 15 seats. Similarly, in Marathwada, the BJP secured 19 of the 46 seats and the NCP won 8.
BJP leaders are concerned that Ajit Pawar’s NCP is targeting BJP-held local self-government bodies in districts such as Pune, Sangli and Pimpri-Chinchwad in West Maharashtra and Parbhani, Jalna and Beed in Marathwada. This has led to discontent among BJP MLAs and ministers and some are speculating that the party may contest the upcoming local body elections independently.
Party leaders’ reactions
Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray group) MLA Sachin Ahir: “Not just BJP MLAs, but the entire cabinet is unhappy with Ajit Pawar. He is not getting funds, and his work is not getting done. We have fought against him all our lives, and now we have to sit with him.”
NCP (Sharad Pawar group) MLA Rohit Pawar: “Maybe BJP leaders want to bring their discontent into the limelight with Ajit Pawar so that they can escalate the dispute and fight the upcoming local body elections on their own strength.”
Impact on Mahayuti alliance:
Due to growing discontent within the Mahayuti alliance, each party may fight the upcoming local body elections independently. BJP’s possible strategy could be to take advantage of the discontent among its allies and try to strengthen its vote bank.
