Bahia is experiencing tension with the Master investigation, which drives an electoral offensive

Posters with the phrase "Jaques do Master" were pasted on the walls, in reference to the relations between senator Jaques Wagner (PT) and Daniel Vorcaro's bank. Sound walls played jingles in sequence that attacked governor Jerônimo Rodrigues (PT), while ACM Neto (União Brasil) was the target of jeers from PT activists.

The Master crisis has heightened tensions surrounding the electoral dispute in Bahia, setting the tone for the campaign that will oppose Jerônimo Rodrigues and ACM Neto, in a repeat of the 2022 clash. The expectation is for a tight election, which can be decided in the details.

Jerônimo was on a favorable streak, driven by works and the resumption of President Lula's (PT) popularity. But its base suffered a shock after the PF operation investigating Jaques Wagner on suspicion of having received payments linked to banker Augusto Lima, former partner at Banco Master. The senator denies having committed irregularities.

The PF's action left the government base in Bahia stunned. Around ten days after the operation, the PT began a reaction in the political field, which involves building a speech of unity and an emphatic defense of Jaques Wagner, considered a pillar of the group that has governed Bahia for 20 years.

Last week, the PT launched an advertising campaign on the networks that reinforces the partnership between Jerônimo Rodrigues, Jaques Wagner and former minister Rui Costa.

The advertising piece, called "Três Irmãos", features a jingle that echoes a gospel song, with lyrics such as "with a friend we are never alone" and "at the right time we lend a hand".

The advertisement was already planned and aired in advance. The objective was to show the group aligned amid the turbulence and internal disputes that oppose Jaques Wagner and Rui Costa.

Behind the scenes at the PT, the prevailing view is that the political impact of the operation will depend on the evolution of the investigations. As long as there are no new developments, the guideline is to avoid a defensive posture, without allowing the issue to dominate the political agenda.

Governor Jerônimo Rodrigues reiterated his confidence in the senator: "The group has always been united and we will overcome. Wagner stepped aside, met with Lula to defend himself and carry out our campaign", he told reporters this Thursday (2).

Unlike Lula, who removed Jaques Wagner from leading the government in the Senate, the governor kept the state Secretary of the Environment, Eduardo Sodré, Wagner's stepson who is also being investigated by the Federal Police, in office.

"I didn't ask for [the position] because he will have the right to defense. If there is anything about conviction, I would talk to him again," he said.

On the other side, the opposition has been adopting a more restrained stance on the Federal Police operation in public statements. The strategy has been to limit the topic to the field of Justice, taking the political debate to the clash surrounding Jerônimo's management.

"We are going to play within the four lines of politics. What is a matter relating to Justice, it is up to Justice to give the right to contradictory, full defense and judge according to the law. And whoever committed any act of improbity must be held responsible", stated the mayor of Salvador, Bruno Reis (União Brasil).

The Master's crisis also affects the opposition. Coaf reports showed that a company owned by ACM Neto received R$3.6 million from the Master bank and the Reag management company. The former mayor of Salvador said he had provided consultancy services and that the amounts received were legal and declared.

Even with signs of a possible truce surrounding the Master crisis, the topic returned to the forefront following statements by Rui Costa on Thursday (2). He cited the contract between ACM Neto's firm and Master and mentioned the former mayor's wife, a partner in the company.

"I think it's part of ACM Neto's wife's contract, who is also a consultant with him at the Master bank. I didn't know she was a consultant too," said Rui Costa after being questioned by the website Aqui Só Política about the booing of PT members in the 2 de Julho procession.

Pre-candidate for the Senate on the ACM Neto ticket, former minister João Roma (PL) classified the episode as a "gratuitous attack" on his ally's family.

Since leaving the Civil House of the Lula government in April, Rui Costa has taken the front line of the clash with ACM Neto, criticizing the former mayor on social media and asserting an assertive stance.

Meanwhile, the opposition aims its artillery at Governor Jerônimo. The assessment is that the Master crisis involving Wagner is an additional ingredient, but the wear and tear of two decades of PT management in Bahia and issues such as public security will be decisive for the outcome of the election.

To criticize the ticket with Jerônimo, Rui and Wagner, oppositionists began to classify the group as a "clique", the same term that the PT used to attack the Carlist group in the 2006 elections, the first one won by the party in the state.

"It's a clique, the same people with a tireless desire for power. It's not possible that in Bahia there aren't people who can make a better contribution than the same people who have been governing the state for 20 years," stated ACM Neto.

PT members disdain the material fatigue thesis. They state that the group does not have a leader, acts collectively and has known how to recycle itself over the last two decades.

The PT's performance in Bahia is seen as crucial for President Lula, who in 2022 had a front of 4 million votes in the state in the dispute against Jair Bolsonaro (PL).

Jaques Wagner leaves government leadership in the Senate after being targeted by the PF

The senator resisted leaving his post, but his departure was finalized after a meeting with Lula. Wagner is one of the president's closest allies and denies involvement in the case