Opinion

Maharashtra mess needs to be taken seriously by Congress leadership; Here’s why!

Congress MLAs in Maharashtra would hope to see the central leadership to act sensibly

The Maharashtra political crisis has blown over, and it looks like the Maha Vikas Aghadi government has met with its end for the current term. The rebels have made politics in the state look like yet another act of power-hunger that has pulled down an alliance which did not foresee any such jolt whatsoever. The chapter is now more than over, and the development must have evoked more smiles among the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), who had wanted Uddhav Thackeray and his party out of power in the state.

Now with the alliance all left high and dry, the focus is likely to be on the MVP partners too. The two partners who had provided support for Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena to form the government were the Sharad Pawar-led NCP and the Congress party. The scenario that the Congress party is currently in has attracted much attention, post the MVP imbroglio.

Maharashtra Congress MLAs left in the lurch

There are many who feel that the Sena rebel action could trigger almost similar reactions from the Congress party, whose workers in Maharashtra have nowhere to go now. At the national level too, the leadership is too weak to keep the party together. Leaders part of the party in Maharashtra too know that very well.

Though the Congress leadership had deputed AICC observer and trouble shooter Kamal Nath to travel to Maharashtra to keep the party state unit intact, he has also returned after speaking to all MLAs of the party and giving them the confidence that the party will stay strong and united. Kamal Nath returning so soon has raised eyebrows, though.

However, there are many in the party who believe that many of the Congress MLAs could have a rethink on whether to stay back. A reason being talked about, according to a report, is that the national leadership of the party is still not doing anything to keep leaders together.

With Uddhav Thackeray almost giving, the NCP is also going the same way. There hasn’t been a fight to retain power. Congress MLAs are baffled and could have the urge to switch allegiance to another outfit if things are not brought under control. There are even talk about herding all Congress MLAs to one safe spot so as to keep them together and strong. This also comes at a time where there are discussions about cross voting that happened in the recent MLC elections in the state.

Maharashtra Assembly
Maharashtra Assembly building

Leaders look up to central leadership

The party however is silent, and is watching the situation. Merely monitoring the situation and doing nothing would further alienate leaders. Leaders who wish to see the Congress party stay strong and confident have been urging the central leadership to get its act together. Though not being said in the open, many of them feel the party leadership isn’t serious about the situation.

The central leadership of the Congress needs to realise the scenario and act. Else, rebel action could see itself being triggered within the state unit. And, that could prove more harmful as the party is indeed not in a position to see elected MLAs jumping ship.

Show More

Sanjeev Ramachandran

A journalist with 23 years of experience, Sanjeev has worked with reputed media houses such as Business Standard, The Ne More »

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisment
Back to top button