Tensions rise in the MVA camp as some rebels refuse to withdraw nominations

Mumbai: November 4 became a crucial day for the Maharashtra assembly elections, marking the final deadline for candidates to withdraw nominations by 3 pm. Senior leaders of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) tried to convince the rebel candidates to resign. Some complied, others remained resolute.

On Monday afternoon, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray and NCP(SP) leader Sharad Pawar held a press conference, warning that strict action would follow if the rebels did not leave.

Sharp turn in Kolhapur

In North Kolhapur constituency, the Congress initially nominated Madhurima Raje, daughter-in-law of MP Shahu Maharaj Chhatrapati. However, on Monday, Raje withdrew her candidacy, putting the MVA in a quandary as they no longer have an official candidate there. This conclusion led to disappointment for Satej Patil, who had been working to resolve internal conflicts.

In particular, Patil tried to persuade rebel Congress leader Rajesh Latkar to resign. Patil expressed her anger at Madhurima Raje’s rejection, saying, “If she wasn’t going to run, then why did she apply in the first place?” Now, after Raje’s exit, the MVA will support Congress rebel Rajesh Latkar, said Congress state president Nana Patole.

Dire situation in Versova

In Versova, the Shiv Sena (UBT) continues to face insurgency. Former councilor Raju Pednekar has filed his nomination as an independent candidate despite the party officially fielding Haroon Khan. Pednekar did not withdraw his independent nomination, leading to a three-way fight between BJP’s Bharati Lavekar, MVA’s Haroon Khan and independent candidate Raju Pednekar.

Relief in Byculla and Dharavi

In the Byculla Assembly constituency, even as the MVA has formally nominated Manoj Jamsutkar for the Shiv Sena (UBT), former Congress MP Madhu Chavan has filed his candidature as an independent candidate. Similarly, in Dharavi, former Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Baburao Mane filed his candidature as an independent candidate against Jyoti Gaikwad of the Congress. However, both rebel candidates, Chavan and Mane, eventually withdrew their candidatures, resolving internal conflicts in these constituencies. Dissent in Kong in Shinde’s bastion In Thane’s Pachpahadi-Kopri constituency, rebel Congress candidates Manoj Shinde and Suresh Patil Khede have retained their candidatures. This constituency, which is represented by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has been facing divisions within the Congress. In this area, Kedar Dighe of the Shiv Sena (UBT) is the official candidate of the MVA alliance.

Failure at Pena, Panvel

In the Pen and Panvel assemblies, the constituencies did not withdraw their nominations. However, in the Alibaug constituency, Surendra Mhatre, the official candidate of the Thackeray faction, resigned after receiving a direct call from Thackeray himself directing him to quit. Although similar orders were issued to candidates in Pen and Panvel, they refused to leave, indicating that the rebellion within the Thackeray group in these areas is continuing.

Hemlata Patil is not in a fight

Congress candidate Hemlata Patil has finally withdrawn her candidature from Nashik Central Assembly constituency. She had planned to contest as an independent candidate due to her dissatisfaction with the MVA’s decision to nominate Sena’s Vasant Geete (UBT) for the seat. Feeling sidelined, Dr Patil initially entered the independent competition but has now decided to back out.

Determined rebels of Ahmednagar city The Ahmednagar city assembly seat was given to Abhishek Kalmkar of the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction). While the constituency has traditionally been a Shiv Sena stronghold, the decision to hand it over to the NCP has created discontent among Shiv Sena supporters. In response, Shashikant Gade, the district chief of the Shiv Sena (UBT), rebelled and announced his candidacy. Despite calls from senior leaders to drop out of the race, Gade decided to remain in the race.

Rebel upheaval in Indapur

In Indapur, Harshvardhan Patil, who recently joined the NCP (SP) from the BJP, received the official nomination. The decision upset party leader Pravin Mane, prompting him to file his candidature as an independent candidate. Sharad Pawar personally met Mane to discuss his concerns but was unable to change his mind. Mane decided to file his independent candidacy, leading to a three-way contest in Indapur between Mahayuti’s Datta Bharane, MVA’s Harshvardhan Patil and independent Praveen Mane.

NKP(SP) rebel on the ground in Bida

In Beed constituency, Mahayuti Party has nominated Yogesh Kshirsagar while Sharad Pawar’s NCP has once again supported Sandeep Kshirsagar in the constituency. Yogesh and Kshirsagar are uncle and nephew. However, Jyoti Mete, who had recently joined the party, rebelled and filed her nomination as an independent candidate. As a result, Sandeep Kshirsagar withdrew his candidacy, but Jyoti Mete’s candidacy remained valid.

Kong, an NCP (SP) rebel in Nagpur

In Nagpur East district, MVA gave way to NCP (SP) and fielded Duneswar Pathe in that seat. However, the situation became tense as rebel candidates from both the Congress and the NCP(SP) refused to withdraw from the contest, increasing pressure on the MVA.