Mumbai: As Union Home Minister Amit Shah visits Maharashtra and a team from the Election Commission arrives, significant political developments are unfolding. Ajit Pawar, who joined the Maharashtra government last year, is set to exit from the Mahayuti alliance, also known as NDA. Sources closely monitoring Maharashtra’s political landscape predict that Ajit Pawar may either contest the upcoming assembly elections alone or form a third front with smaller parties.
This marks the first time since the Lok Sabha elections that BJP leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has publicly attributed the poor performance of the NDA to Ajit Pawar, stating that Pawar’s votes did not transfer effectively, leading to disappointing results in the elections.
Implications of Ajit Pawar’s Departure
Given the Lok Sabha elections’ outcomes, the RSS-affiliated publication The Organizer had already pointed fingers at Ajit Pawar. This has prompted Pawar to reassess his political future, even hiring a consulting firm for better positioning of his party. Recently, he has been conducting a statewide “Jan Samman Yatra” on his own.
Political analysts suggest that Pawar’s exit from the Mahayuti could lead to significant changes in Maharashtra’s political dynamics and also impact the opposition coalition, Mahavikas Aghadi. Sources indicate that an announcement regarding his departure from the alliance may come within the next few days.
Furthermore, Ajit Pawar’s party, the NCP, has expressed dissatisfaction over recent comments made by BJP leader Nitesh Rane regarding minority communities, reflecting growing tensions within the alliance.
Waiting for the Announcement
Political analyst Dayanand Nene noted that Ajit Pawar has likely made up his mind to leave the Mahayuti. The timing of his official announcement remains awaited, as current circumstances appear to be uncomfortable for him within the alliance. He has been notably absent from several key events and has had separate meetings with PM Modi and Amit Shah.
Post-exit, Ajit Pawar will have the opportunity to contest elections in desired constituencies, a move he has been preparing for through his recent public outreach campaign. As the situation develops, all eyes will be on Pawar’s next steps and the potential ramifications for Maharashtra’s political landscape.
Leave a Reply