X: @the_news_21
Six out of the 43 Maharashtra Congress lawmakers were notably absent from a legislative party meeting held on Thursday, fueling speculation about potential defections from the party just days before the crucial February 27 Rajya Sabha polls.
Among the absentees were three lawmakers known to be close associates of former Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, who recently switched allegiance to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has been nominated as a Rajya Sabha candidate. The absence of Jitesh Antapurkar, Mohan Hambarde, and Madhavrao Pawar Jawalgaonkar from the meeting raised eyebrows, indicating a possible rift within the party.
Adding to the intrigue were the absences of Zeeshan Siddique, Aslam Shaikh, and Sulabha Khodke, all of whom were speculated to be considering a move to the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Siddique’s father, Baba Siddique, recently joined the NCP, further fueling speculation about potential defections.
While the Congress leadership attempted to downplay the significance of the absences, emphasizing that only four lawmakers had legitimate reasons for staying away, the situation underscored growing tensions within the party following Chavan’s defection. State Congress chief Nana Patole reiterated the party’s commitment to unity and affirmed that all lawmakers would support the party’s nominee in the Rajya Sabha elections.
The looming Rajya Sabha polls have intensified political maneuvering in Maharashtra, with each party vying for the crucial seats. With a candidate requiring 41 votes to secure a Rajya Sabha seat, the BJP and its allies hold significant leverage, potentially securing victory on three out of the six seats up for grabs. However, with the Shiv Sena, NCP, and Congress each aiming to secure one seat, the political landscape remains fluid and unpredictable.
The developments in Maharashtra highlight the fluid nature of Indian politics, with alliances shifting and party loyalties being tested in the lead-up to crucial elections. As the state braces for the Rajya Sabha polls, all eyes are on the Maharashtra Congress and its lawmakers, whose decisions could have far-reaching implications for the state’s political future.
