Maharashtra Political Showdown: MVA Prepares for Assembly Polls

Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat met NCP's Sharad Pawar before key Maha Vikas Aghadi talks on seat-sharing for Maharashtra elections. Congress aims to finalize assembly poll candidates by evening, with no reported differences within MVA. Voting set for November 20, with BJP already announcing 99 candidates.

In a significant political development, Congress state legislature party leader Balasaheb Thorat held discussions with NCP leader Sharad Pawar on Tuesday. This meeting comes ahead of the crucial Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) talks on seat-sharing for the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections, which includes Congress, NCP, and Shiv Sena (UBT).

Congress leaders convened a crucial Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting in the national capital yesterday, chaired by Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge. The meeting aimed to finalize candidates for the impending assembly polls and culminate in a decision on 288 seats for MVA by the day's end.

Speaking from Delhi, opposition leader Vijay Wadettiwar assured reporters of progress on the 17 contested seats, particularly in Vidarbha. Meanwhile, Congress election in-charge Ramesh Chennithala dismissed rumors of discord among the alliance partners, emphasizing the united front as the MVA and ruling Mahayuti coalitions gear up for the elections on November 20.

(With inputs from agencies.)