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The Congress party, grappling with the recent shock of its unexpected defeat in the Haryana elections, faces a critical challenge in the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections. The party's internal divisions and the complexities of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, a coalition of the Congress, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), and Sharad Pawar's NCP, pose significant hurdles to a successful campaign. The party's strategy hinges on addressing these internal divisions, managing the alliance dynamics, and presenting a cohesive and compelling narrative to voters.
The Congress's loss in Haryana highlighted the detrimental effects of internal divisions and factionalism. Senior leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda's inability to unite the party and deliver a victory underscored the need for strong and cohesive leadership. Similar problems have plagued the Maharashtra Congress, raising concerns about a possible repeat of Haryana. While party leaders in Maharashtra claim to have learned from the Haryana debacle, reports of infighting between senior leaders like Nana Patole and Vijay Wadettiwar cast doubt on their unity. Recent incidents involving Wadettiwar and Congress MP Pratibha Dhanorkar, who clashed over regional dominance, further expose the fragility of the party's internal cohesion. The central leadership's intervention to calm tensions remains a fragile peace, with election pressures likely to exacerbate these conflicts.
The Congress also faces the challenge of managing its relationship with its MVA partners. Negotiations on seat-sharing within the alliance remain unresolved, with the Congress demanding a larger share of seats than its allies. The Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP, citing their own performance in key regions, are pushing for a larger share. The Congress's bargaining power has been weakened by its poor showing in Haryana, leading allies to question its ability to contribute to the alliance's electoral success. The final stages of the negotiation process hold the potential for conflicts that could harm the alliance's prospects. Ultimately, the Congress's ability to navigate the delicate dynamics of the MVA while simultaneously addressing internal strife will be crucial to its success in the Maharashtra assembly elections.
Source: Can three CMs and three deputy CMs secure a Congress win in Maharashtra?