Mumbai: With the Maharashtra Assembly elections of 2024 yet to be officially announced, the political climate is heating up as veteran politician Sharad Pawar begins to strategise against both Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his own nephew, Ajit Pawar. In a surprising move, Sharad Pawar has welcomed BJP stalwart Samarjit Singh Ghatge into his faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), creating ripples across the state’s political landscape.
Samarjit Singh Ghatge, a prominent figure in the BJP, resigned from his party on Tuesday and joined the NCP faction led by Sharad Pawar, known as NCP (S). Pawar has announced that Ghatge will contest the upcoming assembly elections from the Kagal seat in Kolhapur, a stronghold of Ajit Pawar’s ally, Maharashtra Rural Development Minister Hasan Mushrif. Not only has Pawar promised Ghatge a ticket, but he has also hinted at making him a minister if his faction forms the government, a move likely to create tension for both Ajit Pawar and his close aide Mushrif.
Tensions Rise over the Kagal Seat
Despite assurances from Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, Ghatge’s departure from the BJP was fuelled by his ambition to contest from the Kagal seat. For five consecutive terms, Hasan Mushrif has represented this seat, which is crucial for Ajit Pawar’s faction of the NCP. The BJP, unwilling to cede the Kagal seat, was prepared to offer Ghatge an MLC position instead, but he was adamant about contesting from Kagal, leading him to switch allegiance to Sharad Pawar’s party.
Ghatge is not alone in feeling sidelined. Many BJP leaders across Maharashtra are uncertain about their prospects as candidates in constituencies where Ajit Pawar’s faction is strong. With around two dozen assembly seats in play, the realignment of political forces has left several BJP leaders reconsidering their futures, fearing they may not be able to secure a nomination from their own party.
Mass Exodus of BJP Leaders?
The shift isn’t limited to Samarjit Singh Ghatge. A number of other BJP leaders, such as Ramraje Naik-Nimbalkar from Phaltan, Harshvardhan Patil from Indapur, and Ranjitsinh Nimbalkar from Solapur, are also reportedly contemplating moves to Sharad Pawar’s faction. As political loyalties are tested, the fallout from these defections could significantly impact the BJP’s strategy in Maharashtra.
The situation is further complicated by the recent political alignment between Ajit Pawar and the BJP. Many in the BJP who fought hard against Ajit Pawar’s candidates in 2019 are now left wondering about their positions. With Ajit Pawar’s faction now part of the ruling coalition, some BJP leaders fear they could lose their chances to contest in the next election.
A Strategic Play by Sharad Pawar
By recruiting disgruntled BJP leaders, Sharad Pawar is attempting to destabilise the Mahayuti alliance from within. This strategy could create significant challenges for both Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar as they prepare for the 2024 elections. Pawar’s recent success in collaborating with Congress and Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena during the Lok Sabha elections suggests he is well-prepared to leverage these defections in the upcoming assembly elections.
The BJP’s efforts to win over the influential Maratha vote bank in Western Maharashtra, particularly through its alliance with Ajit Pawar, now appear threatened by this series of defections. Pawar has already shown his political acumen by engineering a victory for Shahu Maharaj, a descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, in Kolhapur against the BJP. His latest moves indicate a strategy to replicate this success in the upcoming state elections.
As Maharashtra heads towards the 2024 assembly elections, the defections of key leaders and the evolving political strategies of the NCP under Sharad Pawar are setting the stage for a fiercely contested battle. With tensions rising and alliances shifting, the political landscape in Maharashtra is set for a dramatic showdown.
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