Sat Dec 07 09:55:55 UTC 2024: ## Samajwadi Party Quits Maharashtra Opposition Alliance Over Babri Masjid Remarks

**Mumbai, December 7, 2024** – The Samajwadi Party (SP) has dramatically exited the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) opposition alliance in Maharashtra following a controversial social media post by a close aide of Uddhav Thackeray, leader of the Shiv Sena (UBT). The move comes as the MVA boycotted the state legislative assembly’s oath-taking ceremony, alleging electoral manipulation.

The controversy stems from a post by Milind Narvekar, a Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, commemorating the 32nd anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition. Narvekar’s post included a quote from Balasaheb Thackeray praising those involved in the demolition, along with images of Uddhav and Aaditya Thackeray.

This sparked outrage from the SP, which holds two seats in the Maharashtra Assembly. Samajwadi Party state president Abu Asim Azmi stated, “The Samajwadi Party can never remain with communal ideology; hence, we separate ourselves from the Maha Vikas Aghadi.” Azmi further criticized a Shiv Sena (UBT) newspaper advertisement also celebrating the demolition. He questioned the MVA’s commitment to secularism, asserting there was no difference between the BJP and the MVA if such views were tolerated.

While the SP’s two MLAs, defying the MVA boycott, took their oaths, the remaining MVA members staged a walkout, alleging widespread EVM manipulation in the recent state elections. Aditya Thackeray, leader of the Shiv Sena (UBT), declared, “We boycotted the oath-taking ceremony today as democracy is being murdered by the use of EVMs.” Congress and NCP leaders echoed these concerns, demanding a return to ballot papers.

The MVA’s poor performance in the elections saw the Congress win only 16 of 103 contested seats, Shiv Sena (UBT) 20 of 89, and NCP 10 of 87. In contrast, the ruling Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP and factions of the Shiv Sena and NCP, secured a landslide victory with 230 of 288 seats. Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as Chief Minister, with Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar as Deputy Chief Ministers. The SP’s departure further weakens the already fractured MVA opposition. The party’s decision highlights growing tensions within the alliance over its stance on religious issues and casts a shadow over the future of the opposition in Maharashtra.

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