The Congress is the largest party, but the BJP has elected the mayor... Uddhav's faction has created a 'play' in Chandrapur
The Congress party faced a significant setback in Chandrapur as the BJP elected the mayor due to an unexpected alliance with Uddhav Thackeray's faction of Shiv Sena.
In Chandrapur, the Congress party, which was expected to claim the mayoral position, suffered a substantial defeat when the BJP secured the mayoral election thanks to an unanticipated alliance with the Shiv Sena faction led by Uddhav Thackeray. BJP candidate Sangeeta Khandekar won the mayoral election by a narrow margin of just one vote against Congress nominee Vaishali Mahadule. This unexpected outcome raises serious questions regarding the unity of the opposition and the strength of the Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition, as the Uddhav faction of Shiv Sena is a vital ally of Congress in both the Maha Vikas Aghadi and the INDIA alliance.
Chandrapur was among the few municipal corporations where Congress had emerged as the largest party and was close to securing the mayoralty. However, infighting between factions led by Vijay Wadettiwar and Pratibha Dhanorkar provided the BJP with a crucial opportunity to gain the upper hand in the elections. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed his intention to gather detailed information regarding the electoral developments that took place during this crucial election period. The results not only highlight the challenges faced by Congress in maintaining its influence in local governance but also reflect the shifting political dynamics in Maharashtra politics.
The election outcome signifies a strategic victory for the BJP, which, alongside its new ally Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction), showcases its capability to navigate and exploit internal conflicts within the opposition. As the political landscape continues to evolve, the implications of this alliance in upcoming elections could reshape the power balance in Maharashtra, potentially hampering Congress's political ambition and raising significant concerns within the Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition.