Maharashtra Politics: Mahayuti Faces Internal Dissent Over Ajit Pawar-Led NCP Inclusion

Mumbai, 6th June 2024: Just a day after the Lok Sabha election results, dissenting voices have emerged within the Mahayuti alliance, questioning the inclusion of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction.

In the 2019 assembly elections, the undivided NCP secured victories in six assembly segments: Yeola, Dindori, Niphad, Kalwan (in Dindori), Sinnar, and Devlali (in Nashik). All six MLAs, including Cabinet Minister Chhagan Bhujbal from Yeola, are now part of Ajit Pawar’s faction.

In the recent general elections, Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Rajabhau Waje defeated Sena’s rival candidate Hemant Godse in Nashik, while NCP (SCP) nominee Bhaskar Bhagare triumphed over BJP’s Bharati Pawar in Dindori.

“These results suggest that NCP’s inclusion in Mahayuti did not translate into significant support for the coalition candidates in these segments,” commented a BJP legislator from north Maharashtra. The legislator noted that traditional NCP supporters largely sided with the MVA, led by NCP (SCP) chief Sharad Pawar.

In Bhujbal’s Yeola segment, the NCP (SCP) candidate led Bharati Pawar by over 13,000 votes. In Sinnar, Waje led Godse by over 1.2 lakh votes, with NCP’s Manikrao Kokate representing Sinnar.

BJP insiders pointed out that Ajit Pawar’s absence from campaigning in Nashik and Dindori negatively impacted Mahayuti’s efforts. Ajit Pawar was focused on Baramati, where his wife Sunetra contested against NCP (SCP)’s Supriya Sule.

“Ajit Pawar should have campaigned in Nashik and Dindori to support Mahayuti candidates,” a BJP source said.

NCP MLAs refuted these claims. “All six segments in Nashik and Dindori are rural, with a significant farmer population. The onion export ban caused strong resentment among farmers, benefiting the MVA,” said Bhujbal. He also highlighted that Waje’s lead in Sinnar was boosted by his home turf advantage.

Bhujbal questioned BJP’s failure in Nashik’s urban segments, traditionally BJP strongholds. “Despite this, Godse couldn’t secure substantial leads over Waje. How do BJP leaders explain this?” Bhujbal asked.

Narhari Zirwal, Dindori NCP MLA and deputy speaker of Vidhan Sabha, attributed MVA’s success to a sympathy wave for Sharad Pawar and UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray.

The election outcomes in Nashik and Dindori have intensified the debate within Mahayuti regarding the strategic impact of including Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction in the alliance.