Pune: Maha Shakti to take on Maha Yuti and Maha Vikas Aghadi; triangular fight likely in State

Pune: The State Assembly elections appeared to be a direct fight between the Maha Yuti and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) till recently. However, a third front is likely to emerge with coming together of Prahar Sanghatana’s MLA Bachchu Kadu, Swarajya Sanghatana’s Sambhaji Raje Chhtrapati, Bharatiya Bouddha Mahasabha’s Rajratna Ambedkar and Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana’s Raju Shetti. A meeting, in this regard, was underway in Pune.

An alternative would be provided for the rulers and the opposition. There are three parties each in the Maha Yuti and the MVA. Therefore, the number of aspirants will be huge. Dissent is likely to happen in both the alliances. In this backdrop, the third front will provide another option for voters.

This is likely to confuse voters. Because the State Assembly polls are taking place for the first time after the splits in the Shiv Sena and the NCP. Therefore, a common voter may not know who is fighting from which party.

It will be interesting to see which issues the likely third front will take up to seek votes. Commenting on this, Bachchu Kadu said, “Power should be decentralised. Voters should have many options. When claims increase, parties increase, then politicians have to work hard. There is no option for hard work. The Maha Yuti and the MVA are eying only power but we are focused on the people. We are fighting for their rights. It is a battle for poor people from all communities.

“The political situation has become strange in the State. An option needs to be provided for farmers. If our candidates win, we will form the government. We are taking a chance for the people of the State. If it succeeds, it will be a State, which grants justice to farmers and labour. It will not be a third front but a Maha Shakti (Super Power).”

Raju Shetti said, “I object to the naming of our alliance as the third front. There are already two alliances and we can’t be number 3. The Maha Yuti and the MVA have ruled the State for 2.5 years each in the past five years. They have ruined Maharashtra. We are trying to form an inclusive and promising alliance. Farmers’ issues have not been solved. We are raising people’s power and getting good candidates elected.”