Last Monday, this column had said the Maha Vikas Aghadi’s three allies would be together in the government as long as it suited them even as they bicker with and bite each other. A week later, the Congress finds itself under attack from Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray, who also happens to be the head of the government that the century-old party supports.

What did the Congress leaders do to invite the CM’s ire? The chief of the state Congress unit, Nana Patole, his Mumbai counterpart Bhai Jagtap, former CM Sushilkumar Shinde and many others have suggested that the party should go solo in the polls. The Congress’s state in-charge H K Patil was urged that this demand be taken up with the high command, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. But Patil nipped the demand in the bud saying that it couldn’t be considered now because the elections would be held after three years. Patil said the prime objective should be to run the government smoothly in Maharashtra. Discomforting as it could be for Congress leaders, Patil’s statement must have comforted the other MVA allies. Patil said indirectly, apparently with instructions from the top, that the MVA would complete a five-year term.