New Delhi: The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is close to finalising its seat-sharing arrangement for the upcoming Maharashtra state assembly elections, with consensus reached on 260 of the 288 constituencies. This follows intense negotiations between key alliance members, including Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the Sharad Pawar-led faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), at a meeting held in Mumbai.
Although significant progress has been made, 28 seats remain unresolved. These contested constituencies are located in regions where all three major parties believe they have strong chances of success. Talks are set to continue over the coming days in an attempt to break the deadlock. Senior leaders involved in the discussions remain optimistic, with one stating that efforts are underway to develop a formula that ensures a fair distribution and maximises the alliance’s electoral prospects.
Disputes centred around overlapping claims
According to a News18 report, under the current agreement, Congress is expected to contest between 110 and 115 seats, reflecting its recent performance in the Lok Sabha elections. The Shiv Sena (UBT) is likely to field candidates in 83 to 86 constituencies, focusing primarily on its traditional strongholds in Mumbai and the Konkan region. Meanwhile, the NCP (SP) is aiming to secure 72 to 75 seats, with western Maharashtra being a key target due to its agricultural importance and political influence.
Disputes over the remaining seats are centred around overlapping claims, particularly in constituencies such as Chandrapur, Sindkhed, and Wardha. In these areas, all three major parties believe they have a legitimate chance of victory, complicating the negotiations.
Samajwadi Party wants to contest 12 seats
The alliance is also navigating the demands of smaller parties, with the Samajwadi Party (SP) requesting 12 seats. The SP currently holds two seats in the Maharashtra assembly and has expressed confidence in its ability to secure additional constituencies. While the MVA has yet to make a decision on the SP’s demands, leaders have indicated that efforts will be made to accommodate the smaller allies.
In an effort to end the deadlock, it was agreed that the final decision on the contentious seats will be left to the high command of the Congress, NCP, and Shiv Sena (UBT), a report of Times of India mentioned. The resolution of these issues is expected soon, as the MVA aims to release its full list of candidates in the coming days to facilitate the start of campaigning.
