Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Oct 1: A rebellion appears to be brewing within the Mahayuti ahead of the Maharashtra Legislative Council elections, with Shiv Sena leader Shrikant Deshpande filing two nomination forms for the Amravati Teachers' constituency and declaring that he will contest the election even if the party denies him the official ticket.
Preparations are currently under way for the elections to the teachers' and graduates' constituencies in Maharashtra, with the Mahayuti constituents seeking a larger share of the seats. In Pune, the BJP has staked its claim to both the Graduate and Teachers' constituencies.
Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil has said that both Pune seats are traditionally held by the BJP and that the party has a claim over them. However, he has also said that the Mahayuti would contest the elections together and that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar would take the final decision on seat-sharing.
Minister Jaykumar Gore had also said that the BJP was claiming both Pune seats. He said the party was preparing to contest the elections as part of the Mahayuti, but indicated that the BJP could contest independently if required. He had said the final decision would be taken by Fadnavis and BJP state president Ravindra Chavan.
Chavan subsequently said that the decision on which Mahayuti constituent would contest the Pune Graduate and Teachers' constituencies would be taken by Fadnavis, Shinde and Sunetra Pawar. The NCP's Ajit Pawar faction has staked its claim to the Pune Graduate seat, while the Shinde-led Shiv Sena has sought the Teachers' constituency.
Amid this dispute over the Pune seats, the situation in Amravati has added another challenge for the ruling alliance.
According to the report, Shiv Sena leader Shrikant Deshpande has filed two nomination forms for the Amravati Teachers' constituency — one on behalf of the party and another as an independent candidate. Deshpande has said he will not withdraw from the contest even if the party refuses to give him the official nomination.
"I have been working with Shiv Sena since the first day of my political career. Therefore, I have the first right to the party ticket. That is why I have filed the first application through the party and the second as an independent," Deshpande said.
He said that if the party denied him the nomination, he would contest under the banner of the Teachers' Front and would not withdraw from the election.
"Getting the nomination is my right. If I do not get it, I will contest under the banner of the Teachers' Front. But I will not withdraw," Deshpande said.
He also said teachers were well-informed voters and would carefully consider the candidates and issues before voting.
The development comes as the Amravati Teachers' constituency enters the formal election process. According to the election schedule issued by the authorities, nomination papers can be filed until Oct. 6. Scrutiny will take place on Oct. 7, while candidates can withdraw their nominations until Oct. 9. If the election is contested, polling will be held on Oct. 23 from 8 am to 4 pm.
Recent reports have also indicated signs of disagreement within the Mahayuti over the Amravati seat. The Shinde-led Shiv Sena is reported to be seeking the constituency, with sitting MLC Kiran Sarnaik's candidature being discussed, while BJP aspirants have also been preparing for the election.
The Amravati constituency has particular significance for Deshpande, who previously represented the seat and has long been associated with the Teachers' Front. He had won the constituency in the 2014 election and later contested the 2020 election, when Kiran Sarnaik defeated him.
Deshpande's decision to remain in the race even without the Shiv Sena ticket could therefore complicate the Mahayuti's efforts to arrive at a common candidate. The final picture will become clearer after the alliance announces its official candidate and the deadline for withdrawal passes.