Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Shiv Sena and NCP face litmus test of survival

In the pulsating landscape of Indian politics every election cycle brings its own set of challenges and opportunities As the nation gears up for the Lok Sabha elections 2024 all eyes are particularly fixed on the fate of regional heavyweights like the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party NCP These parties once pillars of Maharashtras political arena now find themselves at a critical juncture facing a litmus test that could determine their survival in the everevolving political landscape of the countryAs the campaign for the Lok Sabha elections 2024 gathers momentum Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray the leaders of two prominent regional parties in Maharashtra are fighting a battle for political survivalThe litmus testThe polls are also a litmus test for Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his deputy and NCP chief Ajit Pawar as they have cast their lots with the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP by splitting their respective partiesBut the challenge is tougher for Thackeray and Sharad Pawar as they are out of power and have lost control of their parties Shiv Sena and NCP respectively along with the original name and electoral symbolA split in the Shiv Sena where Uddhav Thackerays leadership was challenged by his once trusted aide Eknath Shinde and the division in the NCP where the writ of founder Sharad Pawar was defied by his nephew Ajit Pawar has created a unique situationAlso Read Analysing Modis rule A closer look at his leadership style and governanceThe Election Commission and the Maharashtra assembly speaker have recognised the Ajit Pawarled NCP and Shindeled Sena as the real NCP and the real Shiv SenaThe factionsUddhav Thackerayrsquos Shiv Sena is referred to as the lsquoShiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackerayrsquo while the rival faction led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is simply known as Shiv Sena The Eknath Shindeled Shiv Senarsquos election symbol is the Bow and Arrow whereas Shiv Sena UBT led by Uddhav Thackeray uses a flaming torch as its symbolFollowing the splits the faction led by Ajit Pawar is now recognised as the Nationalist Congress Party retaining the original party name and symbol Founder and president Sharad Pawar formed the Nationalist Congress Party Sharadchandra Pawar after the Election Commission recognised the Ajit Pawar faction as the original party The Sharad Pawar faction will contest both Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assembly polls under the party symbol of the trumpetWhat experts have to sayWhile the political landscape of India gears up for the Lok Sabha elections in 2024 Maharashtra stands at the forefront with its unique blend of regional power dynamics and national significance As the campaign for the Lok Sabha elections gathers momentum Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray the leaders of two prominent regional parties in Maharashtra are fighting a battle for political survivalBoth the leaders need to put up an impressive performance in the polls or else they risk political extinctionA senior journalist who wished not to be named said The political landscape in Maharashtra witnesses a tumultuous chapter with the Shiv Sena and the NCP grappling with internal rifts that threaten to undermine their electoral prospects Once stalwarts of the states political arena these parties now find themselves locked in a battle for survival struggling to navigate the fallout from recent splits within their ranksThe Shiv Sena a party synonymous with Maharashtras political identity has been rocked by internal dissent following its decision to break away from its longstanding ally the BJP and form a coalition government with the Congress and the NCP While this realignment marked a watershed moment in the states political history it also exposed deepseated divisions within the Shiv Senas leadership and rankandfile he saidThe senior journalist said that the rift within the Shiv Sena came to the fore with the emergence of factions aligned with different ideological and strategic visions for the partys future The decision by prominent leaders to either toe the party line or break away to pursue independent political agendas has further exacerbated tensions within the organisation This internal turmoil threatens to weaken the Shiv Senas electoral machinery and erode its support base raising questions about the partys ability to retain its dominance in Maharashtras political landscape he addedHe further said that similarly the NCP founded by the seasoned politician Sharad Pawar finds itself grappling with fissures within its ranks ahead of the Lok Sabha elections 2024 While the party has long been hailed for its ability to navigate the complexities of coalition politics recent defections and internal discord have cast a shadow over its electoral prospects The emergence of dissident factions within the NCP fueled by divergent ambitions and grievances poses a formidable challenge to the partys unity and cohesion he addedPolitical analyst Abhay Deshpande noted that the upcoming elections pose a survival test for all four factions the Uddhav Thackerayled Shiv Sena UBT the Sharad Pawarled NCP SP the Eknath Shindeled Shiv Sena and the Ajit Pawarled NCP However Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar may hold the upper hand due to potential sympathy votesOf course it is a survival test for all four factions the Uddhav Thackerayled Shiv Sena UBT the Sharad Pawarled NCP SP the Eknath Shindeled Shiv Sena and the Ajit Pawarled NCP It will also test the claims of Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray regarding the loyalty of their traditional voters and party cadres Everything is at stake for Uddhav Thackeray he must endeavour to secure support from his partys traditional base Meanwhile Sharad Pawar will likely advocate for Supriya Sule as his partys successor However both leaders may hold an advantage in this election due to potential sympathy votes Even for Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar this election represents a critical survival test With the state elections looming by years end the outcome is crucial for all four parties Deshpande saidOne of the critical factors that will shape the electoral battle between the both the Shiv Senas and the NCPs is their ability to address the underlying causes of internal dissent and present a united front to the electorateMoreover the alliances and coalition dynamics in Maharashtra will play a decisive role in shaping the outcome of the electionsIn conclusion the Lok Sabha elections 2024 present a formidable challenge for the Shiv Sena and the NCP two political heavyweights grappling with internal fractures and external pressures As they strive to overcome the divisions within their ranks these parties must also confront the larger task of winning the trust and confidence of the electorate Whether they emerge victorious and reaffirm their relevance in Maharashtras political landscape or face electoral setbacks that alter the course of the states politics remains to be seen Nonetheless one thing is clear the battle for survival has never been more intense for these political titans