Maharashtra: What is Triggering MVA Rift Speculations Once Again?

Is the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in Maharashtra starting to show signs of cracks? Political events that have transpired over the past few days in the state is creating the buzz that perhaps all is not well in the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress alliance. Indeed, there have some intriguing cues to pick up on such as the Congress deciding to contest solo in the next assembly elections that is due in 2024. Or, the fact that Shiv Sena and Maharashtra Congress unit chief Nana Patole exchanged jibes over political ambitions for their parties for the next term. On 9 June, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray also had a one-on-one meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Although Thackeray said it was nothing unusual of course the meeting raised a few eyebrows. What also created a stir, was a letter that got out in the media. The letter was penned by Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik advising CM Thackeray to go back to the BJP to avoid constant harassment from central agencies like the CBI or ED. Like a few other leaders, Sarnaik himself is currently entangled in a money laundering case that is being probed by the ED. While senior Shiv Sena leader and spokesperson Sanjay Raut has said that attempts to create rift in the MVA won't work, how do we look at these events? Is there trouble in paradise or are there attempts to destabilise? Tune in! Producer and Host: Shorbori Purkayastha Guest: Prakash Bal, Senior Political Journalist Editor: Shelly Walia Also read: Maharashtra: What Does the Rift Between Sena And Congress Signify? Music: Big Bang Fuzz Listen to The Big Story podcast on: Apple: https://apple.co/2AYdLIl Saavn: http://bit.ly/2oix78C Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/2ntMV7S Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2IyLAUQ Deezer: http://bit.ly/2Vrf5Ng Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices