Congress Infighting Derails Alliance, Spurs Sena (UBT)-BJP Tie-Up in Chandrapur
A high-profile visit by Congress legislature party leader Vijay Wadettiwar to Matoshree, aimed at securing a power-sharing formula with Sena (UBT), failed to yield support, as the party instead forged an unexpected alliance with BJP in the Chandrapur mayoral election. This surprising development raises a significant political question: why did an MVA ally cross over to back a rival? The answer lies in deep-seated Congress infighting, delayed negotiations, and an inability to offer firm commitments on the mayor's post.
Internal Rifts Weaken Congress Negotiating Position
A sharp internal rift between MP Pratibha Dhanorkar and Vijay Wadettiwar derailed consensus within Congress, severely weakening its negotiating prowess with allies. Sena (UBT), which engaged in prolonged talks with Congress, ultimately opted for a BJP-backed power-sharing arrangement that altered the civic power balance, despite Congress being the single largest party in the region.
For days, tensions simmered between rival Congress camps over the mayoral nomination. The divide became public when Dhanorkar formed a separate bloc of 13 corporators, exposing deep fractures within the party. Even intervention by the state leadership failed to unify local ranks, highlighting the extent of the discord.
Failed Negotiations and Compromises
Wadettiwar's outreach to Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray resulted in a proposed 50-50 sharing formula, but internal dissent—particularly from the Dhanorkar camp—undermined this arrangement and forced national leaders to step in. The eventual compromise offered the mayor's post to the Dhanorkar faction and a standing committee chairmanship to allies, leaving little room to accommodate Sena (UBT)'s demands.
During the election, crucial votes were either split or neutralised, costing Congress control of the mayor's office. This outcome underscored the party's lack of strategic coordination and alliance management, despite its numerical strength.
Sena (UBT) Explains Decision to Back BJP
Explaining the decision to back BJP, Sena (UBT) district chief Sandeep Girhe stated, "Congress was unable to take decisions on time. There was no clarity or firm commitment on the mayor's post. Because of Congress's internal infighting, decisions kept getting delayed. We waited for clarity, but it did not come. That is why we were forced to take a decision in the interest of stability and the city's administration."
This move by Sena (UBT) not only shifted the political landscape in Chandrapur but also highlighted broader issues within Congress, including:
- Delayed decision-making processes
- Lack of internal unity and consensus
- Inability to provide firm commitments to allies
- Poor strategic coordination in alliance management
Ultimately, Congress's failure to address these internal challenges left it out of power in the mayoral election, demonstrating how infighting can have far-reaching consequences on political alliances and civic governance.
