MVA Finalizes Seat Sharing Ahead of Maharashtra Elections

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut announced that the seat-sharing talks within the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance are complete. The meeting also saw alliances attempting to position their leaders for the Chief Ministership. The state is slated for elections later this year, with dates yet to be announced.

In preparation for the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly Elections, scheduled for later this year, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut confirmed that seat-sharing talks within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance have been finalized. Raut assured that there were no disagreements among the parties over the distribution of seats.

Raut further emphasized the collective goal of democratically ousting what he termed the 'unconstitutional and illegal' Maharashtra government. On August 7, former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray, alongside his son Aditya Thackeray, met with Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi. Senior leaders Sanjay Raut and Congress MP KC Venugopal were also in attendance.

The political maneuverings continued on August 3, when Sharad Pawar met with current Maharashtra CM Shinde at Varsha Bungalow to discuss issues such as the Maratha reservation. On August 4, Congress held a meeting of its state leaders. Shiv Sena Deputy Leader Sanjay Nirupam later criticized Uddhav Thackeray for allegedly seeking the support of the Congress in Delhi purely out of a thirst for power. Nirupam suggested Thackeray's visit was an attempt to position himself as the front-runner for Chief Minister within the MVA.

Nirupam also noted the improbability of Pawar endorsing Thackeray, leading him to seek support within the INDIA Alliance to apply pressure on Pawar. With the current government's tenure ending in 2024, the state is poised for elections for the 288-member legislative assembly. Although dates have not been announced, the BJP saw a significant dip from 23 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls to nine. The Congress marginally improved to 13 seats, while Shiv Sena and the NCP secured a total of 17 seats.

(With inputs from agencies.)