Baramati By-Election Exposes Rift Within Maha Vikas Aghadi

Mumbai: The upcoming Baramati Assembly by-election in Maharashtra has brought internal differences within the opposition गठबंधन Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) to the forefront. The bypoll, necessitated after the demise of former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, has turned politically significant with contrasting strategies adopted by alliance partners.

Ajit Pawar’s wife, Sunetra Pawar, has been fielded as the NDA candidate. While Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) and Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) have decided not to contest against her, the Congress has chosen to go its own way by fielding Akash More as its candidate.

Baramati has long been considered a stronghold of the Pawar family. Despite this, Congress’ decision to enter the fray has exposed a lack of coordination within the opposition alliance. Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) had opted for a strategic retreat, but Congress’ move has triggered sharp reactions.

An editorial in Shiv Sena (UBT)’s मुखपत्र Saamana, reportedly written by Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut, criticised Congress for what it termed “political immaturity” and a “narrow approach.” The editorial argued that restraint should not be mistaken for weakness but seen as a sign of maturity. It also took a dig at Congress, suggesting that if the party believes its influence is limited to just one seat, it needs to reassess its ambitions.

The editorial further accused Congress of contributing to the سقوط of the Uddhav Thackeray government in 2022. It alleged that Congress resigned from the विधानसभा Speaker’s post without consulting alliance partners, leading to a “structural crack” in the government that eventually resulted in its fall.

Taking a sharper tone, the editorial stated that if Rahul Gandhi aspires to lead at the national level, Congress must not treat regional allies like Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) as “supporting crutches,” but rather as equal stakeholders representing grassroots voices.

Reacting strongly to the editorial, Congress leader Sachin Sawant hit back at Sanjay Raut, accusing him of often confusing his roles as a journalist and a party spokesperson. Sawant remarked that Raut tends to forget that when one points a finger at others, four fingers point back. He added that had such internal issues not existed, the MVA could have retained power in municipal corporations like Mumbai and Chandrapur.

The Baramati by-election has thus not only gained electoral importance but has also highlighted underlying tensions within the opposition bloc in Maharashtra.