Sat Dec 07 11:26:56 UTC 2024: **Samajwadi Party Quits Maharashtra Opposition Alliance Over Babri Masjid Remarks**

Mumbai, December 7, 2024 – The Samajwadi Party (SP) has dramatically withdrawn from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) opposition alliance in Maharashtra, citing a controversial social media post celebrating the demolition of the Babri Masjid. The decision comes after a Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, Milind Narvekar, a close aide to Uddhav Thackeray, shared a picture of the demolished mosque alongside a quote from Balasaheb Thackeray praising the act. The post also featured images of Uddhav and Aaditya Thackeray.

This action has significantly weakened the MVA, which already boycotted the swearing-in ceremony of the new Maharashtra government, alleging electoral manipulation via Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Samajwadi Party state president Abu Asim Azmi stated that the party “can never remain with communal ideology,” declaring their separation from the MVA. He further criticized the Shiv Sena (UBT)’s alleged embrace of “communal ideology,” highlighting a newspaper advertisement congratulating those involved in the demolition.

Despite the MVA’s boycott, Azmi and fellow SP MLA Rais Shaikh participated in the oath-taking ceremony. Shaikh, while acknowledging the MVA’s founding principles of constitutional protection and secular values, expressed disappointment that the Shiv Sena (UBT)’s actions contradict these ideals. He called for the party to address the issue and clarify their stance.

The MVA’s boycott of the oath-taking ceremony was led by Aaditya Thackeray who accused the ruling Mahayuti alliance (BJP, Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction) of rigging the election through EVM manipulation. Other opposition leaders echoed these concerns, demanding a return to ballot papers. The Mahayuti secured a landslide victory, winning 230 out of 288 seats, resulting in Devendra Fadnavis becoming Chief Minister. The Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP suffered significant losses in the recent elections. The SP’s departure marks a significant blow to the already weakened opposition coalition in Maharashtra.

Read More