MVA Alliance Finalizes Seat-Sharing Arrangement for Maharashtra Polls

Top leaders of the Opposition's Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance have reportedly finalized a seat-sharing arrangement for the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections. Although specific seat allocations remain unconfirmed, negotiations have focused on securing consensus among key parties, including Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (SP), amidst concerns from minor parties.

In a high-stakes political maneuver, top leaders of the Opposition's Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance gathered late Tuesday night to finalize a seat-sharing arrangement for the Maharashtra assembly elections scheduled for November 20.

An official announcement is anticipated on Wednesday, with Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut poised to address the media. Amidst swirling reports, the alliance's powerhouses — Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (SP) — are believed to have delineated their stakes, with Congress reportedly contesting 105 seats, Shiv Sena (UBT) 95, and NCP (SP) 84, among the total 288 assembly seats.

The arrangement, however, has not been without its hiccups. Key negotiations, including pivotal discussions between Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress, momentarily stalled, prompting senior Congress figures like Balasaheb Thorat to engage in crucial talks with NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray. Meanwhile, minor parties within the alliance, such as the Samajwadi Party (SP), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and others, have shown increasing signs of restiveness as discussions were protracted.

(With inputs from agencies.)