Fadnavis to Lead BJP's Seat-Sharing Strategy for Maharashtra Assembly Polls

Senior BJP leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has been delegated full authority to decide seat-sharing and negotiations with allies for the upcoming state assembly elections. The move aims to streamline preparations and avoid delays. BJP’s Mumbai unit chief Ashish Shelar confirmed this strategy.

Senior BJP leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will now spearhead decisions on seat-sharing and negotiations with allies for the forthcoming state assembly elections, a party leader announced.

Aiming to streamline election preparations and prevent unwelcome delays, BJP's Mumbai unit chief Ashish Shelar briefed reporters on Sunday about the decision.

"The core committee of the state unit met in Mumbai and delegated all decision-making powers regarding seat-sharing and selection of assembly constituencies to Fadnavis," Shelar stated.

Key figures, including party observer and Union minister Bhupender Yadav, BJP national secretary Vinod Tawde, and Union minister as well as Mumbai North MP Piyush Goyal, attended the meeting.

In the 2019 elections, the BJP secured 104 of 288 assembly seats in Maharashtra.

Shelar confirmed the finalization of the winning strategy and seat-sharing plans with allies.

"Fadnavis has full authority in this regard," he reiterated.

The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, which includes Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena and the NCP led by Ajit Pawar, won only 17 out of 48 Lok Sabha seats in recent parliamentary polls, with BJP's tally dropping from 23 to 9 in five years.

The competing Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance, formed by Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (SP), gained 30 seats.

Shelar explained the need to save time by simplifying planning and decision-making with NDA constituents to finalize candidates, allowing detailed election preparations to commence.

Fadnavis had offered to resign from his deputy CM post to concentrate on party efforts after the disappointing Lok Sabha tally, but continued to serve following a party vote of confidence.

(With inputs from agencies.)