On one hand Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) are endeavoring to strengthen themselves while on the other the factionalism in Congress continues. Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) President Nana Patole had given a call to all party units to stage agitation against Modi Government accusing of depriving rights of OBC. Nagpur unit responded to it but it was clearly visible that except Vikas Thakre and Abhijit Wanjari, both MLA and MLC respectively no big leader joined. NCP and Shiv Sena are either reaching top leaders of other parties or inviting them to their folds.

 

After becoming President of NMC, Duneshwar Pethe is convening meetings tirelessly, keeping everybody together. With the entry of Abha Pandey, a firebrand leader NCP has already strengthened itself. Now recently Subodh Mohite, the former Union Minister of Heavy Industries too has joined the party in presence of NCP Supremo Sharad Pawar. Mohite’s entry into NCP fold is considered as major political development. Similarly former State President of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Suresh Sakhre has embraced Shiv Sena. Bandu Talvekar, the former Corporator of Sena has played an important role in making him join Sena. Sakhre’s entry is considered as major political development. According to reliable sources, Chief Minister and Shiv Sena Pakshpramukh Uddhav Thackeray has taken Sakhre’s addition to the Party very seriously and he may be given a proper solid position.

 

Dushyant Chaturvedi, Nagpur city’s Contact Chief of Shiv Sena though is silently working after, studying all the aspects, is taking proper steps as far as making Party a solid challenge for others is considered. In HIngna BJP gave a big blow to NCP as the later’s senior leader and former Member of Zilla Parishad Vinod Thakre joined BJP showing a full faith in Party and in Sameer Meghe, MLA. Devendra Fadnavis, former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition in Assembly was himself present during the joining of Thakre. As far as Mahavikas Aaghadi is concerned, what Jayant Patil, NCP State President has said may come true. He has said that NCP and Sena would go together and Congress may not join them. MPCC Chief Nana Patole had made it clear that Congress is unlikely to be a part of MVA front in Municipal Corporation elections in Nagpur. These elections are considered as most important as those would decide who is supreme amongst all. Every party is preparing itself.

 

Though Chaturvedi is new in this particular sector, his style of functioning is unique and may bring some solid gain for his Party. It is too early to make any predictions but NCP and Sena are working hard with a motto to spread their wings. In recent agitation on the issue of OBC reservation, Congress did participate but none of the ally members joined it. One can understand this ‘unity’ but the major blow that Congress faced is from within as none of its senior leaders participated with Adv Abhijit Wanjari, Girish Pandav and City President Vikas Thakre. Congress needs to resolve the issue of factionalism, else it would lose its hold.