Mumbai: The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), the opposition alliance representing the I.N.D.I.A. bloc in Maharashtra, appears to be witnessing fresh turmoil after Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) supremo Sharad Pawar felicitated Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at an event in New Delhi. The move has triggered sharp reactions from Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT), exposing fault lines within the alliance just months ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
On Tuesday evening, Pawar presented the Mahadji Shinde Rashtriya Gaurav Award, instituted by Pune-based Sarhad as part of the 98th All India Marathi Literary Conference, to Shinde. The event was attended by key BJP leaders, including Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya Scindia and Union Minister of State for Cooperation and Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol, who is also the Pune MP.
Thackeray Camp Reacts Sharply
The felicitation has not gone down well with Uddhav Thackeray’s faction. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP and close aide Sanjay Raut minced no words in criticizing Pawar, stating, “Pawar Saheb should have avoided going to the function… Maharashtra would not like this.” He further accused Shinde of “breaking” the Shiv Sena and Maharashtra with the help of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. “This is not a Sahitya Sammelan but political dalali (brokerage),” Raut remarked.
Divergent Views Within NCP
While the NCP (SP) leadership has largely remained silent, its leaders have offered differing views. NCP MLC and spokesperson Amol Mitkari, who is considered close to Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, took a jibe at Raut, suggesting that he was merely upset for not receiving the award himself. Meanwhile, NCP (SP) MP Dr. Amol Kolhe attempted to downplay the controversy, stating, “Such functions and events should be seen beyond politics.”
BJP Capitalizes on Division
Sensing an opportunity, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was quick to exploit the situation. Maharashtra BJP President and Revenue Minister remarked that Pawar’s gesture was a “certificate” of Shinde’s leadership. “Thackeray came to Mantralaya just twice while Shinde works for 22 hours a day. If Raut feels bad, no one can help,” he said, reinforcing the BJP’s long-standing claim that Thackeray was an inactive chief minister compared to Shinde.
Political Implications
The episode has exposed emerging cracks within the opposition bloc, raising concerns about the unity of the MVA ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha elections. With seat-sharing negotiations underway, Pawar’s move is likely to create friction within the alliance.
Political observers believe Pawar’s gesture could either be a strategic masterstroke to keep all sides guessing or an indication of shifting political alignments. His unpredictability has long been a hallmark of Maharashtra politics, and this latest move has once again left allies and rivals speculating about his real intentions.
As Maharashtra heads into election mode, the key question remains—will the MVA be able to present a united front, or will internal rifts weaken its challenge against the BJP-Shinde alliance? The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the future course of opposition politics in the state.
