During a recent visit to Maharashtra, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for needing to apologize for various issues, including the collapse of a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the detrimental effects of demonetization and GST on small businesses. Gandhi emphasized that Modi's government has favored industrialists like Adani and Ambani over small and medium enterprises, contributing to rising unemployment. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray did not attend Gandhi's event in Sangli, reportedly due to a scheduling conflict, although speculation surrounds his absence related to political tensions with Congress over the chief ministerial candidate for upcoming elections. Sanjay Nirupam of Shiv Sena took the opportunity to suggest that Congress and NCP-SCP are sidelining Thackeray as part of a broader strategy to weaken his party. Thackeray's demand for a declared chief ministerial candidate remains unaddressed by Congress and NCP, causing friction within the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi alliance. The political landscape ahead of the assembly polls appears increasingly fragmented as alliances and rivalries shift.