Tejas Navale

Pune: With less than a two days remaining until voting day, the Maval Lok Sabha constituency is embroiled in internal turmoil, particularly regarding the candidature of Shrirang Barne from Mahayuti. Despite efforts to quell dissent, the opposition to Barne shows no signs of abating.

The political saga surrounding the Maval Lok Sabha seat unfolded even before Shivsena announced Shrirang Barne as its candidate. Prior to Barne's nomination, both NCP and BJP activists were vying for the seat. Former BJP minister Bala Bhegde expressed interest in contesting, while NCP's Maval MLA Sunil Shelke initially opposed Barne's candidature, even suggesting an alternative candidate to run on the BJP's ticket against Barne.

Despite being named as Mahayuti's candidate, Barne's nomination did not quell the internal discord within the party ranks. During campaign meetings, NCP MLA Sunil Shelke raised doubts about Mahayuti's unity leading up to the assembly elections, adding to the confusion among party activists and workers.

Amidst this uncertainty, Mahayuti's hoardings in the city tell a tale of their own. Notably, the name and photo of Shrirang Barne, the Maval Lok Sabha candidate, have been conspicuously omitted. Instead, the hoardings prominently feature images of key Mahayuti leaders such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar, along with the Shiv Sena symbol. This omission underscores the lingering anti-Barne sentiment within the constituency among other party leaders.

Despite the internal strife, the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Maval remain a focal point of political attention. In Maval, Shivsena UBT's Sanjog Waghere is challenging current MP Shrirang Barne. As the clock ticks down to voting day, the unresolved tensions and divisions within Mahayuti pose a challenge for the Mahayuti's electoral prospects.