As the deadline to file nominations for the Maharashtra Assembly elections ended today, rebellion in more than 150 constituencies out of the total 288 was a reason for worry for all the top four political parties in the state — the Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
While the ruling Congress-NCP front is facing serious rebellion from its strongholds — regions like western Maharashtra — the saffron alliance is finding it difficult to curtail rebels from contesting from the Mumbai, Konkan and Vidarbha regions.
According to the seat-sharing agreement, the Congress is contesting 174 seats, while the remaining 114 seats would be fought by the NCP on October 13.
The Opposition Sena-BJP alliance has also finalised a seat-sharing formula, with the Sena getting 169 seats, while the remaining 119 will be contested by the BJP.
The 70 seats falling in the western Maharashtra region, which is considered to be the stronghold of the Congress-NCP combine, has seen the most significant rebellion so far. NCP’s former minister Digvijay Khanvilkar, along with influential leader Pravin Bhosale, is contesting against the official candidate from Kolhapur South and Savantwadi constituencies.
Congress is facing rebel candidates in six out of eight constituencies in Sangli district. In Pune district, both parties have been unable to control dissidence despite the presence of NCP leader Sharad Pawar, his nephew Ajit Pawar and Suresh Kalmadi. There are at least 30 constituencies in this region that have seen significant rebellion so far.
Speaking to Business Standard, NCP spokesperson Madan Bafna said, "Rebellion by Congress leaders against NCP candidates is a major cause of worry. We are convincing NCP rebels and we are sure, they will withdraw their candidature. But congressmen contesting against our candidates is a serious issue to be tackled.”
Congress party workers believe it is the other way round. "NCP leadership itself supports rebellion against Congress candidates. There have been several instances when NCP candidates have played spoilsport for Congress candidates. We are more concerned about NCP rebels more than our own,” a top Congress leader told Business Standard.
Balasaheb Patil (Karhad North), Makarand Patil (Wai), Basheer Patel and Satish Shetty (Mumbai), Datta Bharne (Indapur) and Dilip Mohite (Khed) are some of the prominent NCP rebels in the fray. Congressman Sunil Deshmukh has rebelled against President Pratibha Patil's son Rajendra Shekhawat in Amaravati. Other rebel Congress workers include former minister Chandrakant Chhajed (Pune-Shivajinagar), Jaikumar Gole (Maan), Vishnu Gaekwad (Mumbai-Dharavi) and Ramdas Thakur (Khed).
The situation is no different for the BJP-SS alliance. At least three sitting MLAs from Nagpur district have rebelled after they were denied ticket. BJP is also facing problems in Konkan with its two-time MLA Vinay Natu (Guhagar) throwing his hat in the ring after the seat was allotted to Shiv Sena. The SS on the other hand is facing troubles in Mumbai, Pune and its strong-hold region of Marathwada. Party spokesperson Neelam Gorhe told reporters, efforts were taken to convince rebels and all issues would be sorted out before September 29, which is the deadline for withdrawal of nominations.
“Seat sharing has caused certain problems for BJP as well as Shiv Sena. However, we have been contesting together for almost two decades. Hence, we will ensure that rebellion is resolved before the deadline,” a BJP spokesperson told Business Standard over phone.
“Even a seat or two can prove crucial in the post-election scenario. Hence, we are taking additional care,” he added.
