The humiliating loss for the MVA government in the Rajya Sabha elections

It is a fact that power hunger was the only cohesion that brought the three parties together to form Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra. So if any of the three parties feels left out, the MVA government will start counting its last days. It seems that things are going as predicted in Maharashtra. The humiliation for the MVA government in the Rajya Sabha elections has started a domino effect in Maharashtra politics. The rifts are now widening and even a small difference of opinion can now result in breaking the legs of the tripod government.

The trio breaks

The humiliating loss for the MVA government in the Rajya Sabha elections has opened a can of worms for the trio government. The trust which was shaky since the inception of the government has taken a huge blow. All the three parties are playing a dirty blame game and behaving contrary to alliance partners. Evidently, 10 seats of the state legislative council are going for polls on 20th of June. So, it is expected of coalition partners to deliberate on elections together and come up with a common plan to strengthen its government.

Also Read: Supreme Court rains down heavily on MVA Govt in Maharashtra

But everything is happening otherwise. As all three allies are going solo for the crucial state legislative elections against a strong BJP in the leadership of Former CM Devendra Fadnavis. Each of the three MVA parties have fielded two candidates for the council seats. The CM and Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray has entrusted his loyalists to make sure that both the parties’ candidates sail through. The duty has been entrusted on Industries Minister Subhash Desai and transport Minister Anil Parab. Both of them are entitled to make sure that no cross-voting takes place on the floor of the house.

NCP Chief Sharad Pawar also held a close-door meeting with senior party leaders to ensure the same. Congress seems to have a half hearted approach and are mulling on the idea to withdraw their second candidate.

What does the Arithmetics say?

Just like the Rajya Sabha elections in Maharashtra had 7 candidates competing for 6 seats, 11 candidates are trying their luck for 10 seats of the state council. The minimum quota currently seems to be around 26 or 27 while it may vary according to the strength of the house on the voting day. The effective strength of the house is around 285 after the demise of one Sena MLA and two NCP MLAs – Former Home Minister Anil Deshmukh and Minorities welfare Minister Nawab Malik have been denied voting rights as prisoners don’t have such privileges.

According to the voting pattern in the recent Rajya Sabha elections held on 10th June, the BJP can easily seal 4 seats and have a close chance for 5th seat. Further, the voting will be held through secret ballot which is giving sleepless nights to the MVA leaders as chances of cross-voting are high.

Insane analogies shows mental bankruptcy

It seems that the loss in RS has badly affected the ruling MVA parties especially the Shiv Sena. As it has gone bonkers in support of Rahul Gandhi. They published an article in their mouthpiece Saamana and launched a scathing attack on the Union government. It went on to claim that the Union government is only short of constructing gas chambers like Hitler to eliminate opponents.

Interestingly, the same party leader Sanjay Raut said that if he had the control over ED he would make Opposition leader Devendra Fadnavis switch camps and force him to vote for Shiv Sena. Ironically, the MVA party has been accused of misusing the state machinery to terrorise its opponents. It allegedly has used State Police to book and jail all those who are critical to the MVA government.

The Bizarre statements coming out from the Shiv Sena suggests that it has taken the loss very seriously and going alone shows the lack of trust between the alliance partners. A further loss may result in more infighting and possible splits between the government. Further as the time for the state assembly election comes near, the Sena will try to project itself detached from the ‘secular’ politics and give rhetorics of staunch Hindutva. As far as the result of the current MLC election seats, the MVA has already morally lost the close fight and it will not be surprising if BJP gets through their 5th candidate in a 10 seat election.