News Brief
Rifts Emerge In MVA As Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader Blames Congress For Maharashtra Poll Debacle
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray during Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra (File photo)
Cracks have surfaced within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) after its massive defeat in the Maharashtra Assembly elections as Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve has blamed the Congress for being "overconfident" after the Lok Sabha polls.
He also accused the Congress of disregarding its allies, Shiv Sena (UBT) and the NCP led by Sharad Pawar.
The MVA secured just 46 out of 288 seats in the Maharashtra Assembly polls held on 20 November, the results of which were declared three days later.
Shiv Sena (UBT) won 20 seats, Congress 16, and the NCP 10 in the Maharashtra elections.
This performance was a stark contrast to the alliance’s success in the Lok Sabha elections, where it bagged 30 out of 48 seats.
"The Congress got overconfident after the Lok Sabha polls. The situation was favourable for the Congress in Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana and Maharashtra. In Jharkhand, the JMM did a lot on its strength," Danve told reporters, India Today reported.
Despite facing anti-incumbency, the BJP managed a third consecutive win in Haryana after the Congress failed to capitalise on its early lead.
In Jammu and Kashmir, the Congress struggled to gain traction in the Jammu region, which was swept by the BJP, though its INDI Alliance ally, the National Conference, formed the government with Congress' support.
In Jharkhand, the JMM-led alliance formed the government, with the JMM securing 34 of 81 seats while the Congress got 16.
"The Congress is not valuing the NCP and Shiv Sena. Till the last day, we were discussing seat-sharing and where we should contest. This has affected us," he said.
"Many seats where the Congress contested on seats in the name of a survey (that they had chances to win) were not able to save their deposits. They got only 5,500 votes in the Sambhaji Nagar seat. Congress leaders were stitching suits to take oath in the cabinet," he asserted.
Danve alleged that several Congress leaders began discussing portfolios even before winning the polls, while "ten leaders were keen on becoming the chief minister".
According to Danve, projecting Uddhav Thackeray as the MVA's chief ministerial candidate could have swayed 2-5 per cent of the vote in their favour.
"Public opinion was in favour of Thackeray due to the work done by him as Chief Minister from 2019 to 2022," Danve asserted.
Danve emphasised that Shiv Sena (UBT) increased its vote share in contested seats, adding that candidates told Uddhav Thackeray their intent to contest more seats and secure a solo majority in Maharashtra.
Responding to queries about Shiv Sena (UBT) contesting local polls independently, Danve clarified, "We have never said Shiv Sena (UBT) is leaving the MVA. Shiv Sena (UBT) should increase its strength in all 288 assembly seats."
