The Samajwadi Party (SP) has officially withdrawn from Maharashtra’s opposition coalition, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), citing ideological differences with Shiv Sena (UBT). SP leader and Maharashtra state president Abu Azmi announced the decision, accusing the Shiv Sena (UBT) of embracing a “Hindutva agenda” post its assembly election loss. Azmi pointed to recent social media posts and a newspaper advertisement by the Shiv Sena (UBT) glorifying the Babri Masjid demolition as the tipping point for this fallout. The SP has expressed its dissatisfaction with the alliance’s lack of coordination during the elections, which Azmi claims further strained relations.

In a statement, Azmi revealed that Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders had called for an aggressive push towards Hindutva in internal meetings, leaving the SP questioning its association with the coalition. He specifically criticized Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Milind Narvekar’s post celebrating the Babri Masjid demolition, accompanied by remarks from party founder Bal Thackeray. Azmi labeled such actions as unacceptable, asserting that the SP could not align itself with an ideology they believe is no different from the BJP’s. Azmi added that he has already initiated discussions with SP chief Akhilesh Yadav about the party’s next course of action in Maharashtra.

The development highlights the growing ideological rift within the MVA, a coalition originally formed to counter the BJP’s dominance in Maharashtra. The Samajwadi Party, with two MLAs in the state, played a minor but symbolic role in the alliance. With this departure, political analysts believe it could further weaken the MVA’s standing in the state and open the doors for new alliances in the shifting landscape of Maharashtra politics.