23 Legislators Skip MVA Strategy Meeting
The fault lines within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) have come into the open after as many as 23 legislators did not turn up for a crucial strategy meeting held on 25 June 2026. The no-show has shocked the alliance, as several senior and prominent leaders were among those absent, according to reports.
Absentee List Includes Key Figures
The meeting was called to finalise the MVA's approach on upcoming legislative business and to coordinate among constituent parties — the Shiv Sena (UBT), Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction), and Congress. However, the absence of 23 MLAs, representing a significant chunk of the alliance's strength, has highlighted growing discontent and lack of coordination.
Sources within the MVA confirmed that the absentees included former ministers and senior office-bearers. "It is a matter of concern that so many of our colleagues chose not to attend," a senior MVA leader said on condition of anonymity.
Internal Rifts and Alliance Strain
Political analysts view this as a symptom of deeper rifts within the MVA, which has been struggling to maintain unity since its formation. The alliance partners have been at odds over seat-sharing, policy decisions, and leadership issues. The no-show comes ahead of several key state legislative sessions, raising doubts about the MVA's ability to present a united front.
"The absence of 23 MLAs is not a coincidence but a clear signal of dissatisfaction," said political commentator Sunil Deshmukh. "The MVA needs urgent damage control to prevent further erosion of trust."
Opposition Reacts
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Maharashtra was quick to seize on the development. State BJP spokesperson Rohan Kulkarni said, "The MVA is falling apart. They cannot even get their legislators to attend a meeting. This is proof of their instability and internal chaos."
The MVA, however, downplayed the incident. A party functionary claimed that many MLAs had prior commitments or were attending to constituency work. "There is no crisis. We will ensure better attendance in future meetings," he said.
Impact on Future Plans
The no-show has forced the MVA leadership to reconsider its strategy. A follow-up meeting has been scheduled for next week, with strict instructions for all legislators to be present. The alliance is also planning to launch a membership drive and public outreach programme to reinvigorate its base.
With local body elections and the next state assembly polls on the horizon, the MVA cannot afford to show weakness. The absence of 23 MLAs — roughly 10% of its legislative strength — has raised questions about the alliance's longevity and effectiveness.
