Maharashtra polls: MVA faces rebellion in Pune as rebel candidates refuse to withdraw nominations

Pune (Maharashtra) [India], November 5 (ANI): The Maharashtra Assembly elections have taken a dramatic turn as three major rebel candidates from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance refused to withdraw their nominations ahead of the polls. Despite efforts from Congress to convince them to pull out, the rebel leaders stood firm, setting the stage for a contentious battle within the alliance.
The last date for the withdrawal of the nomination was November 4.
Kamal Vyavahare former mayor, filed her nomination from Kasba Peth, challenging sitting MLA Ravindra Dhangekar from Congress, another Congress stalwart Aba Bagul the vice-president, filed his nomination from Parvati he will be facing BJP's Madhuri Misal and NCP SP's the official candidate of MVA Ashwini Kadam while the third Congress leader Manish Anand former vice-president of the Khadki Cantonment Board, filed his nomination from Shivajinagar Assembly seat where he will challenge Congress' Datta Bahirat and BJP's sitting MLA Siddharth Shirole.
The MVA alliance, comprising the Indian National Congress, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), and Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar), is facing a rebellion in three key seats in Pune - Shivajinagar, Parvati, and Kasba Peth. The Congress is contesting two of these seats, while the Nationalist Congress Party (SP) is contesting the third.
The refusal of the rebel candidates to withdraw their nominations has put the MVA alliance in a precarious position. The party is now likely to take action against these leaders, which may further exacerbate the internal conflict.
Speaking to ANI Kamal Vyahare said, "It was very clear from my side from the after filling the nomination that I will be contesting the election in Kasba , so there was no question of withdrawing the nomination...I kept myself unreachable since yesterday to avoid any kind of contact from top leadership... We are in the party for 40 years now served as various position for the party... Asked for ticket this time but it denied to me therefore I filed as independent...I am ready to contest and I am sure I will register the win as the work done by me as mayor and corporator will be acknowledge by my supporters and people ...I have been alloted "Ketli" as election symbol."
Whereas another candidate Aba Bagul said, "Despite contesting as independent candidate I am fighting for the Congress... My fight is against BJP... I request Congress top leadership to support me in my fight against BJP here... The NCP candidate who got ticket from MVA has lost thrice on this seat... Despite this fact I fail to understand why she was repeated... I have lot of support of local people... They wanted me to contest in this assembly election therefore I am in the field... I have been allotted with symbol of 'Diamond' by the EC and I am sure I will make Parvati Assembly like Diamond... People are with me; I will register victory."
This development has significant implications for the Maharashtra Assembly elections, as the MVA alliance struggles to maintain unity and coherence in the face of internal rebellions. The outcome of these contests will be crucial in determining the fate of the alliance in the state.
The Maharashtra assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, with counting for all 288 constituencies set to take place on November 23. In the 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, the Shiv Sena won 56 seats, and the Congress secured 44 seats. In 2014, the BJP won 122 seats, while the Shiv Sena won 63 and the Congress 42. (ANI)