Raising alliance tensions, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and other senior leaders from his Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) faction did not attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally at Chhatrapati Shivaji Park in Mumbai on Thursday.
NCP (Ajit Pawar) candidates Sana Malik, Nawab Malik, and Zeeshan Siddique were also missing from the rally, which brought together leaders from Shiv Sena’s Eknath Shinde faction and the Republican Party of India (RPI) led by Ramdas Athawale.
The absence of the NCP leaders stood out, as other alliance candidates appeared on stage alongside PM Modi, showcasing strength within the Mahayuti alliance.
The rally was part of the Mahayuti alliance aimed at displaying unity among the coalition partners. However, NCP leaders have reportedly signalled their unease over the ‘batenge toh katenge’ (divided we fall) pitch of the BJP campaign.
Sharing the glimpses from the rally, PM Modi took to X, saying, “Gratitude to the people of Mumbai for the affection. NDA’s focus remains development and good governance. We will continue working to improve ‘Ease of Living.’”
Notably, Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora on Thursday asserted there is no rift in the ruling Mahayuti alliance, amid indications of a growing unease in the Ajit Pawar-led NCP over the strident Hindutva agenda pursued by the BJP in the run-up to the Maharashtra assembly polls.
“The Mahayuti is united and contesting elections with full strength. I can’t say the same about the MVA,” Rajya Sabha member Deora said as quoted by news agency PTI.
The ruling Mahayuti alliance of the Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, BJP and NCP is locked in a fierce contest with the MVA comprising NCP (SP), Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress in the November 20 assembly elections in Maharashtra.
