The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance is facing internal discord as three main parties-Shiv Sena (UBT), National Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) and Congress blame each other for their defeat in Maharashtra assembly elections.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) led by Uddhav Thackeray has announced its decision to contest local body elections alone. The Shiv Sena (UBT) will contest municipal corporation, zilla parishads, and panchayats elections independently which is a significant setback for the INDIA bloc in Maharashtra.
NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar is upset about the lack of coordination and initiative from the leaders in Mahavikas Aghadi. MP Amol Kolhe expressed disappointment stating that the Shiv Sena (UBT) is not ready to wake up and Congress is not willing to straighten its back, therefore there is an opportunity for NCP (SP) party to grow as an opposition party, if they survive, they can fight more strongly and Sharad Pawar should lead this fight.
Vijay Wadettiwar criticized Amol Kolhe's comments, stating that Kolhe should focus on his party and advise less. The assembly polls' defeat was mainly due to 20-day seat-sharing discussions, which could have been resolved in two days, allowing them time to campaign for more18 days.
MP Sanjay Raut of Shiv Sena (UBT) criticised Congress and the National Congress Party (SP). He said that Congress sought more seats in assembly elections as they wanted CM's post, and that if Congress had left more for allies, MVA would have won more seats. He also mentioned lack of opportunities for workers in alliance and the party’s right to organizational growth as major reasons for contesting solo. Shiv Sena (UBT) also announced its support to Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) rather than Congress in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections.
