MVA may share 2-3 seats with Ambedkar party
Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is keen on taking Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi leader Prakash Ambedkar on board the INDIA bloc ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Ambedkar, however, is yet to take a firm stand, choosing to remain ambiguous. In the proposed alliance, the MVA is ready to offer two to three seats in Maharashtra; Ambedkar has put forth the demand for 12 seats on social media, also insisting the Shiv Sena (UBT) to ditch other allies and contest on 24 seats each in the gebneral elections. MVA feels Ambedkar may pull back at the last minute like in the 2019 Lok Sabha and the state assembly elections.
Rohit Pawar, the new ‘Dada’ in Maha politics?
Dada, the nickname of NCP MLA Rohit Pawar, the grand nephew of NCP chief Sharad Pawar, in close circles is now echoing in state politics. When Rohit Pawar appeared before the ED in connection with a money laundering probe, an eye-catching poster appeared at the NCP office, showing Rohit Pawar and bearing the message: ‘Padnara Dada nave, ladnara Dada’ (This Dada will not run away; Dada is a fighter). This may also be a jibe at Dy CM Ajit Pawar, also referred to as ‘Dada’. Following the ED notice, Ajit Pawar joined the BJP-led government in Maharashtra, the poster incited.
Shinde: From ‘underdog’ to a ‘big game player’
Eknath Shinde was initially treated as inexperienced and ‘not a big leader’ in the Maharashtra arena. Although the BJP high command promoted him as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, demoted Dy CM Devendra Fadnavis tried to influence the decisions of the state government, commentators said. Shinde, however, has outsmarted both his deputies, Pawar and Fadnavis during the Maratha quota protests. Shinde skill fully handled the Maratha march, positing himself as a ‘messiah’ of the Marathas even though Maratha reservation is yet a distant possibility. Both the deputies are finding it difficult to retain the space and importance they enjoyed.
Sudhir Suryawanshi
Our correspondent in Maharashtra
suryawanshi.sudhir@gmail.com