The ruling government in Maharashtra under the strong leadership of CM Devendra Fadnavis has reduced the opposition to rubble. The BJP government has brought reforms to reduce the dominance of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The Fadnavis-Shah-Modi leadership has dismantled the power base of NCP in Maharashtra. Senior leaders of NCP are now openly campaigning for BJP and NCP is unable to stop them.
Top leaders of the party have revolted against NCP. They are supporting the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance. The disappointment with the leadership is evident in the statements and actions of these senior party leaders. The Congress and NCP leadership is incapable of taking any action against these members.
Nationalist Congress Party leader Vijaysinh Mohite Patil, despite knowing that NCP has a strong hold in Madha, said that he will help the ruling BJP win election in this constituency. His son Ranjeet Mohite Patil has recently joined BJP and is expected to be nominated from Madha. Vijaysinh Mohite is the former deputy CM and sitting MP from the Madha constituency. Mohite Patil was reportedly sulking over the fact that Sharad Pawar led NCP has sidelined him. Vijaysinh was granted the ticket, though he wanted it for his son.
Sharad Pawar’s party seems to run away from the factionalism that is thriving inside the party. Another senior opposition leader, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil’s son joined BJP. Vikhe Patil is also openly campaigning for his son, Sujay. Sujay joined BJP on 12th March, and would contest against the Congress candidate Sangram Janpat, from the Ahmednagar seat. Vikhe, like Vijaysinh, showed his discontentment against Sharad Pawar’s party and how the party president has sidelined important players in the party.
The disintegration in the NCP-Congress alliance in Maharashtra is visible clearly. Lawmaker Kalidas Kolambar who is set to join BJP, expressed resentment over the weak leadership of Congress Party and has decided to campaign for Shiv Sena candidate Rahul Shewale. Kolambkar said, “The Congress candidate (from Mumbai-South Central seat) Eknath Gaikwad also did not call me or send any message. I extend my support to Shewale and will campaign for him”
The disappointment in the party leadership has resulted in leaders leaving their party and joining the Shiv Sena and BJP. Aurangabad Congress legislator Abdul Sattar has left the party to support an independent candidate. The Congress and NCP tie is weak and unfit to win the Lok Sabha 2019 elections. These revolts in the party are a proof that the existence of Sharad Pawar’s party and the Grand Old Party are in their last days of existence in the state.
