Before the Maharashtra Assembly elections, the internal conflict over seat sharing in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) seems to be resolving. After a four-hour marathon meeting late Tuesday, an agreement has almost been reached, with only 4-5 seats pending resolution, expected to clear up by Wednesday. Following this, the three parties may hold a joint press conference today.
This time, the Congress from the MVA is set to field candidates in the most seats. According to sources, Congress might contest 104 to 106 seats in Maharashtra. The Uddhav faction is expected to get 92 to 96 seats, while the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar group) may receive 85 to 88 seats.
It is reported that some seats may be given to alliance partners like the Samajwadi Party. The Maharashtra Congress Chief has stated to the news agency that no decision has been finalized on 4-5 seats yet. Discussions will continue into Wednesday, with the likelihood of a joint press conference by evening.
South Nagpur - Uddhav faction vs. Congress, Ramtek - Uddhav faction vs. Congress, Warora - NCP vs. Congress, Chandrapur - NCP vs. Congress, Kamptee - Congress vs. Uddhav faction, Bhandara - NCP vs. Uddhav faction, Amravati - Congress vs. Uddhav faction, Daryapur - Congress vs. Uddhav faction, Erandol - NCP vs. Uddhav faction, Nashik West - Uddhav faction vs. Congress
Is an Agreement Reached on These Seats?
The parties struggled mainly over Vidarbha's seat allocations, though significant progress has been made. Congress may contest from Nagpur West, Kamptee, Gondiya, and Bhandara, while Shiv Sena could receive up to 9 additional seats including Wani and Ramtek. Sharad Pawar's NCP could be granted 11 to 12 seats in Vidarbha.
This Election Focuses on Two Alliances
In the aftermath of the 2019 Maharashtra Assembly elections, the Congress, Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena, and Sharad Pawar's NCP formed the Maha Vikas Aghadi. This time, the election is shaping up to be a showdown between two alliances, with the ruling Mahayuti taking on Maha Vikas Aghadi.
BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP Fighting Unitedly
Mahayuti comprises the BJP, Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde, and NCP led by Ajit Pawar. In this edition of the assembly election, the opposition coalition (MVA) aims to replicate its Lok Sabha success, where it had outperformed Mahayuti.
MVA Triumphed on 30 Lok Sabha Seats
In Maharashtra's 48 Lok Sabha seats, MVA secured 30 victories, while Mahayuti managed only 17. Within MVA, Congress contested 17 seats and won 13, Shiv Sena (UBT) contested 21 seats and won 9, and Sharad Pawar's NCP contested 10 seats and succeeded on 8. An independent candidate later supported Congress, elevating MVA's seat tally to 31. Elections for the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly are scheduled for November 20, with results announced on November 23.
