Pune: BJP Banner Excludes Ajit Pawar, Sparking Debate within Maharashtra’s Mahayuti Alliance

Baramati, 6th September 2024: In recent days, there have been noticeable rifts within the alliances in Maharashtra, especially with the upcoming Legislative Assembly Elections. Controversy arose in the Mahayuti coalition when, during the Jansanman Yatra, the word “Mukhyamantri” (Chief Minister) was omitted while promoting the ‘Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana’. Now, in the Baramati area, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has been excluded from banners and flexes that feature Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

The BJP’s banner, which highlights CM Eknath Shinde and DCM Devendra Fadnavis, has drawn significant attention. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has responded cautiously to the omission of Ajit Pawar’s photo, suggesting that it may have been an oversight. NCP activists have argued that Ajit Pawar’s photo might have been inadvertently left out. Some leaders within the Mahayuti and office bearers from other parties have expressed concerns that since the announcement of the Chief Minister Ladki Bahin Yojana, the NCP has been attempting to take sole credit for it. There is also speculation that this flex might have been deliberately applied.