MVA Rift Widens Before Civic Polls as Congress, Sena (UTB) Clash and Pawar Takes Position

Mumbai: There is an earthquake in Mahavikas Aghadi (MVA) before the BMC and local body elections in Maharashtra. Congress broke the MVA by announcing to fight alone, while NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) chose the path of alliance with Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS. This divide became clear on Saturday, the last day of withdrawal of nominations. Congress's stand was adamant on not including Raj Thackeray's MNS, which Uddhav Thackeray rejected. Will this split benefit the BJP, or will the pieces of the MVA reassemble themselves?

Why did Congress decide to fight alone? 

Congress made it clear that without the Delhi High Command, MNS will not get a place in the MVA. Mumbai Congress Chief Varsha Gaikwad said that we will not go with the feuding parties. This is the decision of Mumbai Congress. He added that the stand of Vijay Wadettiwar is not that of Maharashtra Congress. Congress talked about uniting everyone to defeat BJP, but MNS was adamant. Will this decision push Congress into isolation?

Unanimity in NCP meeting, what is the role of Supriya Sule?

NCP (Sharad faction) decided to leave BJP and join hands with Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS. Leaders including Supriya Sule, Rakhi Jadhav, Jitendra Awhad were present in Saturday's meeting. The NCP leader said that alliance with anyone other than BJP is fine. That's why Sharad Pawar chose Thackeray brothers. In the meeting, agreement was reached on alliance with Shiv Sena-MNS for BMC elections. Will Supriya's 'young face' strengthen the alliance?

Sanjay Raut's taunt on Congress - Hint of 'Delhi Order', is this the end of MVA?

Sanjay Raut of Shiv Sena (UBT) tweeted that Congress says it will not take orders from Delhi without MNS. Shiv Sena-MNS are already together. Sharad Pawar and also Left. Raut described Congress as 'unstable'. Varsha Gaikwad said that Uddhav should take his decision. Will this breakdown destroy MVA?

What is the effect of the MVA breakup?

BJP won 100 corporators and 3 presidents unopposed in the withdrawal of nominations and benefited from the MVA break. If Congress fights alone with NCP and Thackeray brothers, BJP can become stronger. Will BJP take more than 50% seats in BMC elections? This split in MVA will give a new color to Maharashtra politics. Will Thackeray bhai and Sharad Pawar together challenge BJP?