BJP Minister Alleges Voter Intimidation by Alliance Partner
Union Minister Raksha Khadse of the Bharatiya Janata Party has made serious allegations against her own alliance partners, claiming that workers from Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena are intimidating residents in the Muktainagar assembly segment of Jalgaon district in north Maharashtra. The public accusation has exposed significant tensions within the ruling Mahayuti coalition just ahead of crucial local elections.
Direct Allegations Against Shinde-Led Shiv Sena
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Khadse did not mince words when describing the situation. "Look at the workers of Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. They are mounting pressure on people. It is my responsibility to raise voice against it," the BJP Lok Sabha MP from Raver constituency declared. The Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs went even further, suggesting that individuals involved in "shady business" were being promoted by the Shiv Sena in the region.
Khadse provided a personal account of the alleged harassment, revealing that even her daughter had suffered from these intimidation tactics. She described the behavior of some Shiv Sena workers as acting "like goons" and putting undue pressure on local residents.
Historical Context and Political Significance
The Muktainagar assembly constituency holds particular significance for both Khadse and the BJP. Khadse emphasized that this area had traditionally been a BJP stronghold, with her father-in-law, veteran politician Eknath Khadse, winning this seat multiple times during his tenure with the party.
However, the political landscape shifted dramatically in the 2024 assembly elections when Shiv Sena candidate Chandrakant Patil emerged victorious from Muktainagar. This change in political fortune appears to have intensified the competition between the two alliance partners.
Breakdown in Seat-Sharing Talks
The current conflict stems from failed negotiations regarding the upcoming Muktainagar parishad (council) elections. Khadse revealed that she had to field an independent BJP panel after her demand for allocating half of the seats to her party in the local polls was rejected by alliance partners.
In response to Khadse's allegations, Shiv Sena MLA Chandrakant Patil struck a conciliatory tone while defending his party's position. "Talks were on for an alliance. But that was stopped and the BJP announced to go solo. Had it been the real BJP, he would not have contested the polls," Patil stated, indicating his readiness for compromise despite the breakdown in negotiations.
The public airing of grievances between the BJP and Shiv Sena, both key constituents of the ruling Mahayuti bloc that also includes the NCP, signals deepening strains within the coalition government. As local elections approach, these tensions could have significant implications for the stability of the ruling alliance in Maharashtra.
