Both the ruling Mahayuti alliance and opposition Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) have almost finalized their lists of candidates for the upcoming assembly elections in Maharashtra. The two camps have come to an agreement on around 260 seats out of the total 288 in the state.
The Mahayuti alliance, after a lengthy meeting at union home minister Amit Shah’s official residence in Delhi, concluded discussions on approximately 260 seats. Chief minister Eknath Shinde mentioned that there are still differences over 25-30 seats, but these issues are expected to be resolved soon.
According to the alliance’s formula, the BJP will receive around 155 seats, Shiv Sena around 85, and the NCP around 45-50 seats. The central leadership of the BJP convinced the NCP to settle for fewer seats, promising power-sharing adjustments after the election.
On the other hand, the MVA also has locked in around 260 seats after a series of intense meetings. The Congress is anticipated to secure 110 seats, while Shiv Sena and NCP are likely to get 80-85 seats each. Smaller allies are expected to collectively receive around 15-20 seats.
The seat-sharing arrangements have led to some tensions, with disagreements over specific constituencies in Vidarbha and Mumbai. The parties are working towards resolving these issues and finalizing their lists soon.
In light of the recent Haryana assembly results, senior Congress leaders are discussing region-wise seat distribution and caste or quota equations in Maharashtra to strategize effectively for the upcoming elections. The leaders are focused on ensuring a cohesive and unified approach within the party.
The intense negotiations and discussions reflect the competitive nature of the upcoming elections in Maharashtra, with both alliances striving to put forward strong candidates and secure a significant number of seats. As the final lists are set to be released, the political landscape in the state is poised for an exciting and closely contested electoral battle.
