BJP MLA backs Opposition MPs joining NDA, questions need to induct more MLAs into Mahayuti

BJP MLA Ashish Deshmukh on Monday welcomed Opposition Members of Parliament joining the National Democratic Alliance NDA saying the move could strengthen the Union government but questioned the need to induct Opposition legislators into Maharashtras ruling Mahayuti allianceHis remarks come amid political developments involving six of the nine Lok Sabha members of Shiv Sena UBT who are reportedly rebelling against the party leadership Two of the MPs have already confirmed their decision to join the Shiv Sena led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath ShindeDeshmukh said MPs from Opposition parties joining the NDA could help strengthen the Centre and support the passage of important legislationI welcome their move as we need a stronger Centre to pass several important bills But do we really need MLAs from the Opposition in Maharashtra asked Deshmukh who represents the Savner assembly constituency in Nagpur districtMahayuti already enjoys a comfortable majorityThe BJP leader argued that the political situation in Maharashtra differs from that at the national level because the Mahayuti alliance already commands a strong majority in the state assemblyThe ruling coalition comprising the BJP Shindes Shiv Sena and the NCP led by Sunetra Pawar currently has 237 MLAs in the 288member Maharashtra Legislative AssemblyDeshmukh pointed out that the alliance already has more than the twothirds majority required for political stability and smooth functioning of the governmentAccording to him the existing strength of the alliance is sufficient and there is no immediate necessity to increase its numbers by bringing in legislators from Opposition partiesConcerns over impact on existing legislatorsDeshmukh cautioned that inducting more MLAs into the ruling alliance could affect the interests of those who are already part of the MahayutiHe said the aspirations and political future of existing legislators should be taken into consideration before encouraging more defections from Opposition ranksIrrespective of the eagerness of Opposition MLAs to join Mahayuti we need to decide whether we really want any more MLAs as the existing lot is enough and capable he saidThe BJP MLA also urged the leadership of the ruling alliance to reconsider its approach towards welcoming Opposition legislatorsIt is my request to all leaders of Mahayuti that they rethink this strategy of bringing Opposition MLAs into the ruling alliance he saidShinde hints at more defections from Shiv Sena UBTThe debate over defections has gained momentum following recent remarks by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath ShindeSpeaking at the Shiv Sena foundation day rally on Friday Shinde suggested that more leaders from Shiv Sena UBT could join his party in the coming daysThis is just a trailer the movie is still not over Two of the six Lok Sabha members of Shiv Sena UBT have already stated that they are joining Shiv Sena led by Shinde The remaining four have maintained silenceThe statement has fuelled speculation about further political realignments in Maharashtra particularly within the Shiv Sena UBTPolitical legacy and electoral journeyAshish Deshmukh belongs to a prominent political family in the Vidarbha region He won the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly election from the Savner constituency on a BJP ticket after defeating the Congress candidateHis father Ranjit Deshmukh served as president of the Maharashtra Congress while his uncle Anil Deshmukh of the NCP SP was Maharashtras home minister during the Maha Vikas Aghadi governmentAshish Deshmukh joined the BJP before the 2014 Assembly elections and defeated his uncle Anil Deshmukh from the Katol constituency in Nagpur district He later returned to the Congress and contested against then Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in the 2019 Assembly electionsHowever he was expelled from the Congress over his remarks against Rahul Gandhi He subsequently rejoined the BJP which fielded him from Savner a constituency that had remained a Congress stronghold since 2004 Deshmukh went on to win the seat in the 2024 Assembly elections returning to the state legislature as a BJP representativeWith inputs from PTI