Shrikant Deshpande files two nominations for Amravati teachers' seat, strains in Mahayuti

Friction has begun within the Mahayuti over the Amravati teachers' constituency. Shrikant Deshpande, a senior leader of the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), has filed two nomination papers even before the Mahayuti's official candidate has been announced. Preparations are under way in the state for the teachers' and graduates' constituency elections. Constituents of the Mahayuti and the Maha Vikas Aghadi are drawing up strategies to claim as many seats as possible. The official announcement of the seat-sharing has not yet been made.

Deshpande filed the first nomination under the official banner of his party, the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction). He filed the second as an independent candidate. The Mahayuti has so far not decided its candidate for the Amravati teachers' constituency. It is said that Deshpande filed the two nominations at once on getting wind that he might be denied the ticket.

Deshpande has warned plainly that he will not step back from the contest even if the party does not give him the ticket. He has also indicated his intention to contest through the 'Shikshak Aghadi' organisation if he does not get the ticket.

Shrikant Deshpande said, "I have been in the Shiv Sena since 1992 and have been with Eknath Shinde from day one. So I have the first claim on this seat and ticket. Getting the candidature is my right. Even if I do not get the ticket, I will contest. Teacher voters are wise." Based on this statement, it is being said that he has directly challenged not only the local leadership of the Mahayuti but also its senior leaders.

Deshpande's political career is also tied to this seat. In 2014 he contested on the Shiv Sena symbol and was elected MLC from the Amravati teachers' constituency. In the 2020 election he was the 'Shikshak Aghadi' candidate but lost to independent candidate Kiran Sarnaik. He has now staked his claim on the seat and entered the contest once again.

The Mahayuti's difficulty has grown because, once its official candidate is declared, Deshpande's independent candidature could split Mahayuti votes. The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) could benefit. Within the Mahayuti, the BJP is claiming some seats and the Shinde faction the rest. The rebellion in Amravati is said to have created mistrust and tension among the allies.

Just before the election, there is confusion among party workers. If the rebellion is not quelled, the opposition is likely to benefit directly. The whole state is now watching how senior leaders of the BJP, the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) and the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction) contain the Amravati rebellion and resolve the seat-sharing tangle.

The matter is not limited to a single seat. It has also raised questions about coordination within the Mahayuti ahead of the coming elections. It remains to be seen whether Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the senior Mahayuti leaders can placate Deshpande and end the rebellion, or whether the Mahayuti will face a three-cornered or four-cornered contest in Amravati.