uddhav-thackeray-holds-talks-with-cong-for-maha-elections

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray recently met with Congress leaders in Delhi as part of the preparations for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly polls.

 

Accompanied by his son Aditya Thackeray, Uddhav Thackeray held discussions with Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. The meeting, which took place on Wednesday, also included Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut and Congress MP KC Venugopal.

 

This high-level meeting is a significant step for the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, which is gearing up for the assembly elections in Maharashtra. The alliance is working to strengthen its position and coordinate strategies to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state.

 

On August 3, Sharad Pawar, another key figure in Maharashtra politics, met with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at Varsha Bungalow. Their discussions focused on various issues, including the Maratha reservation. This meeting is part of the broader efforts by the MVA parties to address key concerns and solidify their stance ahead of the elections.

 

In a related development, the Congress party held a meeting of its state leaders on August 4. This meeting was aimed at consolidating their strategy and ensuring a unified approach for the upcoming elections. The Congress party is actively working to improve its position in Maharashtra and make significant gains in the assembly polls.

 

However, not all within the alliance are pleased with Uddhav Thackeray's recent actions. Shiv Sena Deputy Leader and Spokesperson Sanjay Nirupam criticised Thackeray, suggesting that his visit to Delhi was driven by a desire for power.

 

Speaking at a press conference, Nirupam stated, "Uddhav Thackeray’s current visit to Delhi exemplifies his helplessness." He pointed out that leaders such as Nana Patole, Balasaheb Thorat, Jitendra Awhad, Anil Deshmukh, and Aaditya Thackeray are all vying for top positions, which complicates the internal dynamics of the MVA.

 

Nirupam further noted that despite Thackeray's efforts to position himself as the chief contender for the Chief Ministership within the MVA, Sharad Pawar is unlikely to endorse him for the role. This has led Thackeray to seek support from other leaders within the INDIA Alliance to exert pressure on Pawar.

 

The Maharashtra Assembly election, which will see the state vote for its 288-member legislative assembly, is expected to take place later this year. The current government's tenure ends in 2024, but the Election Commission has yet to announce the exact dates for the polls.

 

The political landscape in Maharashtra has seen significant changes in recent years. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP's seat count dropped to nine from the previous 23, with a vote share of 26.18 percent. Meanwhile, the Congress marginally improved its seat share, securing 13 seats.

 

The Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) won seven and one seats respectively, bringing the total tally for the NDA to 17. The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) secured nine seats, while the NCP, led by Sharad Pawar, won eight seats.

 

As the election date approaches, the MVA parties continue their preparations and strategic meetings to present a united front. The outcome of these elections will significantly impact the political scenario in Maharashtra, determining the leadership and direction of the state for the coming years.