Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis Claims Mahayuti United In Legislative Council Polls Despite Abdul Sattar Backing MVA Candidate

Mumbai, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis proclaimed on Sunday that the Mahayuti coalition remains united in the Legislative Council elections, asserting the ruling alliance would secure all five graduates' constituencies. However, the situation took a turn when Shiv Sena MLA Abdul Sattar decided to endorse the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) candidate, Pratapsinh Patil, from the Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction, over the Mahayuti’s designated nominee, Satish Chavan.

This unexpected move has sparked political discord within the coalition in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, a constituency where the alliance had recently reconsidered its stance on withdrawing support from Chavan.

Fadnavis dismissed Sattar's decision, stating that an individual's differing stance does not necessarily represent the party's official position. He emphasized that the party’s leadership should take note of such decisions, especially given the expected unity among the alliance partners. Speaking in Nagpur, Fadnavis confidently declared, "We are together, so why take a different stand?"

He further stated that the BJP and its Mahayuti associates were campaigning jointly and expressed certainty regarding the alliance’s victory in all five graduates' constituencies.

The controversy arises from a series of events involving Mahayuti candidates in Marathwada graduates' and Amravati teachers' constituencies. Following an NCP candidate’s rebellion against the Shiv Sena’s nominee in Amravati, the Sena withdrew its support from Chavan. However, subsequent deliberations between Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, along with consultations involving BJP state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule and Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant, reportedly led to the restoration of support for Chavan by the Sena leadership.

Deputy Chief Minister Sanjay Shirsat announced the resumption of support for Chavan and suggested that Sattar might not have been informed of the latest developments or the party’s directive to back Chavan. Shirsat highlighted that the BJP and Shiv Sena are supporting Chavan and that individual leader decisions should not be viewed as the party’s official position.