Rane questions Mahayuti allies after Council poll results, asks if 'Matoshree loyalists' remain

The results of the Maharashtra Legislative Council elections are the talk of state politics. Results are out for the 3 graduates' and 2 teachers' constituencies. Of these five seats, the BJP won only one. The Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) won one, the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) won two, and the Congress also won one. Following the results, leaders of the BJP and the Shinde faction in the Mahayuti alliance have begun trading charges and counter-charges.

It is being said that the BJP did not get the success it expected in the graduates' and teachers' constituencies. Political accusations began over the BJP's defeat, and Shinde faction leader Ravindra Dhangekar criticised the BJP candidate. Replying to him, BJP minister Nitesh Rane questioned the role of some leaders within the Mahayuti.

Against this backdrop, Rane held a press conference on Thursday (October 29) and commented on the results. Asking, "Have some Matoshree loyalists of Uddhav Thackeray remained in the Mahayuti?", he raised doubts. His remark has set off a fresh dispute within the Mahayuti.

At the press conference, Rane said, "Senior leaders, including Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Sunetra Pawar, will sit together and discuss these developments. Wherever necessary, appropriate steps will be taken." He also expressed doubt over whether there are people who, while remaining in the Mahayuti, work on Uddhav Thackeray's side. Referring to someone as "Shakunimama", he alleged that some people are deliberately stirring up trouble. His statement has revived talk of internal politics in the Mahayuti.

Rane also criticised Shiv Sena (Thackeray faction) leader Sanjay Raut. He challenged Raut to speak first about how many votes his own party's three candidates received, rather than commenting on developments in other parties. He also raised questions about the Congress's performance, taunting that the party has been reduced to celebrating the victory of an independent candidate.

Political circles are watching how this war of words between allies, which began after the results, develops. It will be important to see whether the senior leaders sit together and settle the dispute, or whether the accusations escalate further.