In a significant political development ahead of crucial local body elections, the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has officially entered into an alliance with the Rashtriya Samaj Paksha (RSP), led by prominent Dhangar community leader Mahadev Jankar. The formal announcement was made by MPCC President Harshvardhan Sapkal after a key meeting with Jankar at the Congress's Tilak Bhavan office in Mumbai.
Sealing the Pact: A Strategic Move for Local Polls
The alliance is strategically timed for the upcoming Municipal Corporation and Zilla Parishad elections, with the Congress hoping it will provide a substantial boost, particularly in several regions of Western Maharashtra. Sapkal, while announcing the tie-up, highlighted the ideological convergence between the two parties. He described Jankar as a promising voice for the Bahujan community and stated that the unity of like-minded parties is essential at a time when, according to him, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is undermining democratic values and the Constitution.
Sapkal revealed that while a formal agreement was not in place during the recent Municipal Council and Nagar Panchayat elections, the two parties had successfully collaborated in various regions including Satara, Sangli, Marathwada, and Vidarbha. "We are now formalizing this partnership to move forward together in the upcoming elections," he stated.
Jankar's Political Journey and Ideological Alignment
Mahadev Jankar, a well-known Dhangar leader, brings a considerable voter base to the table. His political trajectory includes being part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government led by former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis between 2014 and 2019. He was known to be close to the late BJP stalwart Gopinath Munde.
However, Jankar found himself sidelined within the NDA following the rise of other Dhangar leaders within the BJP. This perceived neglect led him to sever ties with the alliance. In 2014, he contested unsuccessfully from Baramati against the NCP's Supriya Sule. More recently, in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, he contested and lost from the Parbhani seat on an NDA ticket against a candidate from the Shiv Sena (UBT).
Explaining his decision to join forces with the Congress, Jankar emphasized an ideological alignment centered on the principles of social reformers like Shahu Maharaj, Jyotirao Phule, and B.R. Ambedkar. "To uphold the values of Shahu, Phule, and Ambedkar, it is essential for like-minded forces to stand united," Jankar said. He disclosed that he had met with Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, in Delhi, and that the alliance was effectively sealed on May 31. Jankar praised Rahul Gandhi, stating he has emerged as a champion for youth, women, tribals, and the underprivileged.
Potential Impact on the Electoral Landscape
For the Congress, this alliance is a calculated move to strengthen its position in the forthcoming Zilla Parishad polls. The support of the Dhangar community, which holds significant influence in districts like Solapur, Satara, Sangli, Parbhani, and parts of Pune, could be a game-changer. The party aims to consolidate the Bahujan vote bank by presenting a united front against the ruling BJP-led coalition.
This partnership marks a notable shift in Maharashtra's political equations, bringing together a national party and a regionally influential caste-based party. The formalization of this understanding indicates a concerted effort by the Congress to rebuild its grassroots network and challenge the dominance of the BJP and its allies in the state's rural and semi-urban local governance bodies. The success of this alliance will be tested in the electoral battles for the Zilla Parishads and Municipal Corporations in the coming months.
