Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and NCP (SP) supremo Sharad Pawar firmly stated on Saturday that there is no question of taking back those who sided with the rebel factions.
This declaration was made at a joint press conference of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, consisting of the Sena (UBT), NCP(SP), and Congress, following their performance in the Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra.
During the press conference, both Thackeray and Sharad Pawar emphasised their stance against accepting rebel leaders back into their fold. In response, Sanjay Shirsat, an MLA of the Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, dismissed the assertion, indicating that no one from their side was interested in returning.
"Who is going, in the first place? It is not that anybody from our side went to 'Matoshree' (Thackeray's residence) and was thrown out. We have no interest in going back there. They should take care of their people," Shirsat remarked.
The Shiv Sena experienced a significant split in June 2022 when Eknath Shinde rebelled with 39 MLAs, resulting in the toppling of the Thackeray-led MVA government. Shinde subsequently became the chief minister by allying with the BJP. One year later, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) also split, with Ajit Pawar joining the government along with eight MLAs.
Despite the MVA winning 30 out of 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra in the recent general elections, speculation arose that some leaders might return to the parties led by Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar. However, both leaders have firmly ruled out this possibility.
Notably, Parner MLA Nilesh Lanke left the Ajit Pawar-led NCP before the Lok Sabha elections, contested from the Ahmednagar seat on the NCP (SP) ticket, and defeated sitting BJP MP Sujay Vikhe Patil.
Similarly, Bajrang Sonawane left the Ajit Pawar-led NCP and contested the Lok Sabha polls from Beed on the NCP (SP) ticket, defeating former state minister and BJP candidate Pankaja Munde.
There are reports of discontent within the NCP and Shiv Sena, allies of the ruling BJP, regarding the allotment of portfolios in the Centre. The Ajit Pawar-led faction was offered only a Minister of State post with independent charge, which it refused, while only one Shiv Sena MP, Prataprao Jadhav, was included in the Union government as MoS (independent charge) despite the Shinde-led party having seven MPs.
This ongoing tension within the parties and the firm stance taken by Thackeray and Sharad Pawar underscore the complexities of the political landscape in Maharashtra, as the state navigates its alliances and internal dynamics.
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