BJP is killing Mahayuti, says Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala 

Congress accuses BJP of undermining allies in Maharashtra, killing Mahayuti, ahead of Assembly election.

Congress in-charge for Maharashtra, Ramesh Chennithala, on Wednesday (October 30, 2024) accused the BJP of “finishing” its allies Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar in the State and “killing Mahayuti”, by contesting the majority of seats alone in the upcoming Assembly election.

His remarks come a day after the nominations for the election closed in Maharashtra.

Referring to the seat-sharing arrangements of the ruling Mahayuti coalition – comprising the BJP, the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar group) and the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) – Mr. Chennithala called it a “weird alliance”.

He said the BJP leaders in Maharashtra were contesting on the seats allotted to its alliance parties. “For the first time, I am witnessing alliance partners contesting on other party’s symbol. The BJP is contesting from the quota allotted to the NCP-Ajit Pawar group and the Shiv Sena-Eknath Shinde group. It is stealing seats from alliance partners.” 

Also Read: Maharashtra Assembly elections: BJP to fight 148 seats, Congress 103

Ahead of the election, at least five BJP leaders jumped to other Mahayuti parties for candidacy. The BJP leaders, including former MP Sanjaykaka Patil and district BJP president Nishikant Bhosale Patil, joined the NCP and will contest the election from the allotted seats. Similarly, the BJP’s Nilesh Rane, son of former CM Narayan Rane, joined the Shinde’s Sena to contest from the Kudal-Sawantwadi Assembly seat on Sena ticket. 

Referring to these switchovers, Mr. Chennithala said, “All parties involved in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) are given “equal treatment”, and compared to Mahayuti, there is no conflict among the MVA. We will fight unitedly; all the rebels will be put in line.”