Maharashtra: Seat-sharing a bone of contention for MVA and NDA

MVA leaders at a press conference. File Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

Seat-Sharing has become a contentious issue for the MVA and NDA allies in Maharashtra. While Congress wants Shiv Sena (UBT) to withdraw its candidates in the Legislative Council seats from Konkan and Nashik, the NCP (Ajit Pawar) has demanded the same share that the BJP will give to the Shinde Sena while distributing 288 Assembly seats.

Both groups came out in open to make their demands on Tuesday. The elections to two graduates' and two teachers' constituencies will be held later this month. The Assembly elections are slated for October this year. The two alliances in the state have three parties each.

Sena (UBT) vs Congress

The Sena (UBT) had announced all four candidates even before the Congress that was interested in the Nashik seats could take a call. State Congress president Nana Patole told a press conference that he wanted the MVA to together contest all four seats - two in Mumbai and one each in Konkan and Nashik constituencies. "But the Sena declared their candidates without consulting us. I attempted to contact Uddhav Thackeray in this regard, but failed. There is time till 3 pm on Wednesday to withdraw nominations," he said.

Mahayuti leaders at rally in Mumbai. File pic

Earlier, Patole said that Thackeray was told that the Congress will contest two out of four seats. He said attempted to call Thackeray again, but couldn't connect. "We may still find a solution through talks," he said, adding that the MVA, if fought together, can win all four seats. Patole made it clear the Congress did not want the Mumbai seats, but wanted Sena to withdraw from the Nashik seats.

NCP (AP) vs BJP

NCP's senior minister, Chhagan Bhujbal has reiterated a demand for more than 80-90 seats in the Assembly elections, saying that his party must get what Shinde Sena gets. His Cabinet and party colleague Anil Patil echoed his senior's sentiments. "As per the criteria decided, we must contest at least 80 seats. We should go by elective merit and start preparing as early as possible," he said.

NCP's demand drew reactions from the BJP and Sena (Shinde). BJP's Pravin Darekar said if the criteria, as said by some, was that a partner having 40 MLAs will get 80 seats, then the BJP, by virtue of its present strength, should get 210 seats. Shinde Sena's Sanjay Shirsat said the NCP leader might demand 100 seats, but that should come at the official meetings, not before the media.