The Samajwadi Party's decision to leave the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance has created ripples in Maharashtra's political landscape. The move follows a controversial post by Milind Narvekar, a Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC and close aide of Uddhav Thackeray, on the demolition of the Babri Masjid.
This post, marking the 32nd anniversary of the event, has sparked tensions within the coalition.
Narvekar’s post featured a photograph of the mosque's demolition along with a quote from Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, stating pride in the incident.
It also included images of Uddhav Thackeray, Aaditya Thackeray, and Narvekar himself. Additionally, a newspaper advertisement commemorating the demolition further escalated the discord.
These actions led the Samajwadi Party to announce its exit from the alliance, citing ideological differences and a lack of shared values.
Abu Azmi, the Maharashtra unit chief of the Samajwadi Party, expressed his discontent, stating that the party cannot align with groups whose statements mirror those of the BJP.
He highlighted the contradictions in the alliance, questioning the Shiv Sena (UBT)’s stance on sensitive issues. Azmi criticised the lack of coordination within the MVA, particularly during the assembly elections and ticket distribution, which left the Samajwadi Party sidelined.
This announcement coincided with the swearing-in ceremony of the newly-constituted Maharashtra Assembly, which the MVA boycotted. In contrast, Azmi and other Samajwadi Party MLAs participated in the event.
Azmi, re-elected as the Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar MLA for a fourth term, reaffirmed that the party had no connection with the MVA’s decisions, given the lack of consultation and collaboration.
The discontent between the Samajwadi Party and its allies is not new. Recent electoral developments have exposed rifts between the Samajwadi Party and the Congress, another key partner in the opposition camp.
In the Haryana elections, Akhilesh Yadav, the Samajwadi Party chief, criticised the Congress for its arrogance and refusal to allocate seats to his party.
A similar scenario unfolded in the Madhya Pradesh elections, where the Samajwadi Party was left out of the seat-sharing arrangements, further straining relations.
The latest controversy underscores the growing tensions within the opposition alliances as they attempt to present a united front against the BJP. The ideological divides and lack of cohesive strategy are becoming increasingly apparent, raising questions about the future of such coalitions.
The Samajwadi Party’s exit from the MVA may not only weaken the alliance in Maharashtra but also reflect broader challenges in opposition unity at the national level.
For the Shiv Sena (UBT), this development adds to its political challenges, as it continues to navigate its position post the split with the BJP. The Babri Masjid controversy, once a rallying point for the Shiv Sena, has resurfaced in a way that complicates its efforts to maintain a broader coalition.
The party's leadership now faces the task of addressing these divisions while balancing its historical legacy with its current political alliances.
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