The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): On Wednesday, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) expressed concerns over Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s apparent inability to manage unruly elements within his coalition, spotlighting recent criticisms directed at Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar by Shiv Sena leader Vijay Shivtare. This critique emerges amid anticipations of Sunetra Pawar, Ajit Pawar’s wife, vying for the Baramati Lok Sabha seat, and underscores a repeated challenge posed by Shiv Sena’s vocal criticisms against NCP members.
The coalition, known as Mahayuti, which unites the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena under Shinde’s leadership, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP, has witnessed public disputes between its members, marked notably by NCP’s open reproach of Shiv Sena’s conduct on two occasions within the last ten days. Anand Paranjape, NCP spokesperson and former MP, explicitly demanded Shiv Sena to curb its leaders from issuing incendiary remarks, particularly highlighting the situation in the Kalyan Lok Sabha constituency where Shinde’s son, Shrikant Shinde, is the current representative.
Paranjape articulated, “While the NCP steadfastly adheres to the principles of Mahayuti, it is incumbent upon the Chief Minister to ensure his party members do not breach the coalition’s discipline. The ongoing provocations by Vijay Shivtare not only disrupt the peace within Baramati but also threaten the solidarity of the Mahayuti alliance.”
The dialogue also touched upon the looming Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra, revealing underlying tensions related to candidate selection and seat-sharing among the coalition partners. Despite the BJP announcing 20 candidates, an agreement on the distribution of seats remains elusive, hinting at possible contention over specific constituencies.
Moreover, the statement from Paranjape called for unity among the coalition’s activists, emphasizing the collective goal of securing a third term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He voiced optimism that forthcoming discussions among alliance leaders would culminate in an effective strategy, envisaging a victorious outcome for over 45 MPs from Maharashtra in the elections.