As the political landscape in Maharashtra continues to shift, with alliances being formed and broken, the spotlight is once again on the city of Mumbai. The latest development in the state’s political arena is the reported power-sharing pitch by former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan to the Mahayuti alliance, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party. This proposal, if accepted, would result in the Shiv Sena’s Uddhav Thackeray becoming the Mayor of Mumbai, with the BJP getting the post of Deputy Mayor.
This move has been met with mixed reactions from the political parties involved, with the Shiv Sena voicing its displeasure over the potential power-sharing arrangement. However, amidst all the chaos and drama, an unexpected voice has emerged, that of Shiv Sena’s Rajya Sabha MP, Sanjay Raut, who has surprisingly praised former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. This has added a new layer to the already complex political churn in Maharashtra.
The reported power-sharing pitch by Prithviraj Chavan has once again brought the spotlight on the city of Mumbai, which is not only the financial capital of India but also the political epicenter of Maharashtra. With the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance coming to an end after the 2019 state assembly elections, the two parties have been at loggerheads, trying to assert their dominance in the state. And amidst this power struggle, the latest proposal for power-sharing has sparked a heated debate among the political circles.
The Mahayuti alliance, led by the BJP, which currently holds a majority in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), has been presented with the opportunity to form a government in the city with the support of the Shiv Sena. This has not gone down well with the Shiv Sena, which has been vocal about its demand for the rotational chief ministership in the state. The party has made it clear that it will not settle for anything less than the CM’s post, and the proposed power-sharing arrangement for the Mayor’s post has not been received well by the party.
The Shiv Sena’s resistance to this power-sharing arrangement has resulted in a stalemate, with both parties refusing to budge from their respective stands. However, amidst all this political drama, Sanjay Raut’s unexpected praise for former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has taken everyone by surprise. In a recent interview, Raut referred to Fadnavis as a “good Chief Minister” and acknowledged his contributions to the development of Maharashtra. This praise coming from a Shiv Sena leader, who has been one of the staunchest critics of the BJP, has added a new dimension to the political churn in the state.
Raut’s unexpected praise for Fadnavis has not only caught the BJP off guard but has also left the Shiv Sena in a bind. This shift in Raut’s stance has raised many questions about the Shiv Sena’s strategy and its future course of action. Is this a sign of a possible thaw in the Shiv Sena-BJP relationship? Will the Shiv Sena reconsider its stand and come to the negotiating table? These are some of the questions that are now being raised in the political circles.
Many political experts believe that Raut’s praise for Fadnavis is a strategic move by the Shiv Sena to put pressure on the BJP and force them to reconsider their position on the power-sharing arrangement. It is also being seen as an attempt to maintain cordial relations with the BJP, which may prove to be crucial in the long run, especially with the upcoming 2022 BMC elections.
The unexpected praise by Raut has also brought to the forefront the relationship between the Shiv Sena and Devendra Fadnavis. While the two parties have been at loggerheads on the political front, their personal relationship has always been cordial. Fadnavis has often praised late Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray and has maintained friendly ties with Uddhav Thackeray. This unexpected praise from Raut may also be a reflection of Fadnavis’s good rapport with the Shiv Sena leadership.
In conclusion, the reported power-sharing pitch by Prithviraj Chavan for the Mumbai Mayor’s post has added a new layer to the political churn in Maharashtra. Amidst all the chaos and drama, Sanjay Raut’s unexpected praise for Devendra Fadnavis has raised many eyebrows and has many
