The NCP believes that they can maintain their coalition through the Bharat Jodo Yatra, but even within the alliance, the NCP does not anticipate a trouble-free run-up to 2024
Sharad Pawar, the head of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and Uddhav Thackeray, a former chief minister, will both join the Congress’ Bharat Jodo Yatra when it enters Maharashtra on November 7. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) decision by the Congress is related to the coalition’s efforts to strengthen their position in state politics and present a unified front at a time when they are out of power and are facing significant elections in the coming years, along with the general and Assembly elections in 2024.
When questioned about all this, Pawar responded, “We accept that the Bharat Jodo Yatra is a Congress-sponsored initiative. An effort is being made to promote social harmony in society. It is a wise decision. Despite being members of different parties, some of us will join whenever we can.
Under the terms of anonymity, a top Shiv Sena official said, “After the split within the Shiv Sena, we have suffered a major beating. 40 of our 55 MLAs joined the Eknath Shinde side. Out of the 18 MPs in the Lok Sabha, 12 sided with Shinde. Therefore, making up for lost ground is difficult.
Bharat Jodo Yatra will enter Maharashtra on November 7
The yatra will arrive in Maharashtra on November 7, in the district of Nanded and will continue journey through the districts of Hingoli, Washim, and Buldhana during the next fortnight, covering a distance of 382 kilometres. A rally in Nanded and other in Shegaon, Buldhana, are all planned.
Supriya Sule, a Baramati MP and the daughter of Pawar, as well as Aaditya Thackeray, are among the participants in the yatra. After meeting and requesting Pawar to take part in the yatra, top Congress leaders Balasaheb Thorat and Ashok Chavan made the decision to support the yatra publicly. They both sent Thackeray a letter of request as well.
The restoration of social and intercommunal harmony in India is part of the greater national agenda, according to Thorat. Congress insiders confirmed that Gandhi would meet with Pawar and Thackeray, but they are still unsure if the two will participate in the yatra.
Although, Pawar is famed for his practical politics, he supported a consensus candidate who is close to Deputy Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis in the most recent Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) elections. Nevertheless, he has consistently worked to create an Opposition grouping in the state and at the federal level to oppose the BJP.
In the run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the veteran leader played an important role in getting the opposition together for “Save Constitution, Save Democracy” rally held in Delhi. When three controversial agricultural laws were pushed through Parliament, Pawar took the lead in getting all like-minded parties together to oppose the laws.
NCP wants a trouble-free run-up to 2024
Through political scheming, the BJP managed to divide the Shiv Sena, undermine Uddhav Thackeray, and overthrow the MVA. The NCP now believes that maintaining their coalition is their only chance to win Maharashtra, and that this Bharat Jodo Yatra gives them the opportunity to do so. But even within the alliance, the NCP does not anticipate a trouble-free run-up to 2024.
“When it comes to power-sharing, experienced leaders find a way out,” a former NCP minister stated. The MVA administration actually existed. It endured in spite of internal tensions. The seat-sharing process for the Lok Sabha state Assembly, and BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) elections would be challenging.
According to NCP officials, the party set a goal of 90 to 100 seats for the Assembly polls. It implies that the party will not accept less than 100 seats, leaving the Congress and the Thackeray-led Sena with roughly 180 seats. We will stress equal share, a leader in the Congress declared. However, some compromises based on the facts of life will be acceptable to all.
