MORE the merrier is no longer a happy situation. At least that is what seems in Maharashtra politics at present. Mahayuti has secured 3/4th majority and decimated the Opposition. But, the three-party ruling alliance is facing teething troubles. In the unfolding scenario post expansion of Cabinet, the Mahayuti leaders seem to be in a firefighting mode as it has left many displeased. Alliance partners Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Shiv Sena (Shinde) and Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar) are in damage control mode as their party legislators have publicly expressed unhappiness at being dropped from Cabinet. However, one particular development that has set the tongues wagging is the absence of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar from the ongoing Winter Session of State Legislature. Pawar was absent from Tuesday’s proceedings and political watchers said it was related to open rebellion in the party ranks post formation of Ministry in Maharashtra.

 

Though Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde came to Vidhan Bhavan and took part in the proceedings, Pawar was conspicuous by his absence. Some said Pawar had gone incommunicado since Monday night and had proceeded to Delhi. But since Pawar himself is the party and the high command going to New Delhi seems unlikely. Pawar’s whereabouts was a matter of speculation among the NCP workers. The absence is more intriguing as senior MLA Chhagan Bhujbal is sulking after being ignored for ministerial berth. At 78 years, Bhujbal is a veteran of many a political battles. And he slammed the Mahayuti for deserting him just because he dared to espouse cause of Other Backward Classes (OBCs). He had a running feud with Maratha protagonist Manoj Jarange-Patil, and Bhujbal was first among the Government that time to take on the latter. For the same, Bhujbal faced ire of Maratha community. The scenario in Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is a bit different.

 

Though the senior leaders are not yet saying a word at being left out of Ministry formation, relying on their via method, they seem to be firing from the shoulders of their activists. The BJP activists have gone public with their anger at denial of ministerial berth to their leaders. Party’s senior leader Sudhir Mungantiwar or East Nagpur MLA Krishna Khopde, who had largest victory margin in Vidarbha, are maintaining a studied silence. The BJP high command is studying the cause of unease among grassroot workers. The third partner, Shiv Sena, is the only party looking comfortable with its cadre. Shinde, a seasoned politician, is handling the situation and, through his aides, has conveyed the position and asked the sulking leaders to not go public. The Sena chief has already decided to rotate ministers after two-and-half-a-years in a bid to reassure the party cadre that everybody will be taken along. In politics, patience is the virtue, they say. But here everyone seems in a hurry to avoid possibility of a slip between cup and the lip! 

 

 

The members of Maha Vikas Aaghadi constituents, including Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT), are attending the State Legislature session in full quorum. But elected members of Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) are absent for the second day in a row of Winter Session, except Rohit Patil and Group Leader Jitendra Awhad. On Tuesday, Uddhav Thackeray, Shiv Sena (UBT) President, who is also MLC and Aditya Thackeray, MLA, both attended proceedings in their respective Houses. Nana Patole, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee President too, made it clear that all his 16 members were attending the House. But NCP (SP) State President Jayant Patil, fiery leader Rohit Pawar and six other members did not come to Vidhan Bhavan on Tuesday too. The Winter Session of State Legislature began on Monday. There are 10 members of NCP (SP) in the 288-member Assembly. Spokesperson of NCP, Pravin Kunte Patil said that Jayant Patil had gone to attend a marriage function near Pune.