Following the announcement of the Lok Sabha election dates, political parties in Maharashtra have started their preparations in full swing. The Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition has finalized its candidates for 44 out of the state's 48 Lok Sabha seats. However, a contention remains for the remaining four seats between the Congress and Shiv Sena-UBT.
Out of Maharashtra's 48 Lok Sabha seats, the lion's share of 19 seats is claimed by Shiv Sena-UBT. The party plans to contest from constituencies including Jalgaon, Parbhani, Nashik, Palghar, Kalyan, Thane, North Mumbai, South Mumbai, North East Mumbai, Raigad, Maval, Ratnagiri Sindhudurg, Buldhana, Hatkanangle, Hingoli, Shirdi, Aurangabad, Yavatmal Washim, and Dhule.
16 Seats in Congress's kitty
Congress aims to vie for Maharashtra's 16 Lok Sabha seats, including Nandurbar, Dhule, Gadchiroli-Chandrapur, Nanded, Mumbai North Central, Solapur, Nagpur, Pune, Latur, Jalna, Akola, Amravati, Bhandara-Gondiya, Kolhapur, and Ramtek.
NCP-SP allotted 9 seats
Meanwhile, NCP-SP is set to contest from 9 seats in the state, including Baramati, Shirur, Satara, Ahmednagar, Raver, Dindori, Beed, Wardha, and Madha.
According to sources, NCP wished to claim one more seat in Vidarbha, while Shiv Sena-UBT demanded the Jalgaon seat in North Maharashtra. Both seats have been allocated accordingly to NCP-SP and Shiv Sena-UBT.
Tug-of-war continues over these four seats
After finalizing 44 seats, a tug-of-war persists over the remaining Sangli, Bhiwandi, Mumbai North West, and Mumbai South Central Lok Sabha seats between Congress and Shiv Sena-UBT.
Contention within Mahayuti as well
The NDA-led Mahayuti coalition also appears to struggle with seat-sharing for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra. Sources reveal to Aaj Tak that BJP is pressuring the Shinde faction of Shiv Sena to change its current candidates for four seats.
