Maharashtra’s Political Whirlwind: Congress Eyes Dominance Amidst NCP’s Internal Turmoil

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Mumbai: Maharashtra’s political landscape is witnessing significant shifts as the Maharashtra Congress Party exudes confidence in clinching 25 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. This optimism persists even amidst potential alliance uncertainties with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) under the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) banner. A high-ranking Congress official stated, “Should the MVA alliance hold strong, the combined strength of Congress-NCP-Shiv Sena is poised to secure 40 of the 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra.”

This official further opined that the dominant Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) might struggle to bag more than eight Lok Sabha seats. He attributed this prediction to the apparent public discontent with the BJP governance and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s leadership.

The official also highlighted the BJP’s strategic move to incorporate the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction to fortify its Maharashtra stronghold. He noted, “Top BJP leaders recognized their limitations with Eknath Shinde at the helm.” He also drew attention to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bhopal speech, which was perceived as a veiled threat to NCP’s Sharad Pawar. Following this, the NCP witnessed a split, leading the Ajit Pawar faction to ally with the Shinde-Fadnavis government.

In a contrasting move, Sharad Pawar’s NCP faction submitted documentation to the Election Commission of India (ECI), negating any internal party split. This move, as interpreted by a Congress official, hints at potential alliance realignments before the polls.

The official confidently predicts a forthcoming exit of Sharad Pawar’s NCP faction from the MVA. Such a move could dramatically alter the state’s political equations, influencing coalition strategies and electoral outcomes.

He further elaborated that the NCP’s internal rift presents a unique opportunity for the Congress to introduce fresh faces in the electoral fray. This could rejuvenate the party’s image and appeal.

The NCP’s division has also simplified seat-sharing discussions for the Congress. In a united MVA front, seat allocation talks might have been intricate. However, the current scenario has shifted these dynamics.

The NCP’s internal discord poses challenges for the Shinde-Fadnavis alliance, particularly in seat distribution between the Shinde Sena and Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction.

The Congress official anticipates a rising wave of anti-incumbency against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP. He emphasized the Congress’s deep-rooted presence in Maharashtra, which could be a significant advantage in rallying grassroots support.

The official praised the Congress’s stability, contrasting it with parties like Shiv Sena and NCP, which have grappled with internal strife. This unity might resonate with a large voter base, potentially translating to electoral triumphs.

The Congress official envisions a favorable political climate for the party in Maharashtra. He estimates that the Congress could independently secure approximately 24 to 25 Lok Sabha seats. If the existing MVA alliance remains intact, they could collectively bag around 40 seats. These projections stem from a comprehensive analysis of the state’s political dynamics, including party alliances, public sentiment, and potential anti-BJP sentiments.